Since 1988 • Priceless
From the Bay to the Blue Ridge
June 2021
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june’21 A Division of Crier Media Group OTC Media LLC PO Box 320386 Alexandria, VA 22320 571-257-5437 office@oldtowncrier.com oldtowncrier.com Published the first week of every month. Worth waiting for! PUBLISHER Bob Tagert MARKETING & ADVERTISING Lani Gering Bob Tagert Meg Mullery SOCIAL MEDIA & WEBSITE Ashley Schultz DESIGN & PRODUCTION Electronic Ink 9 Royal Street, SE Leesburg, VA 20175 703. 669. 5502 Sarah Becker Cheryl Burns F. Lennox Campello Steve Chaconas Scott Dicken Doug Fabbioli Matt Fitzsimmons Nicole Flanagan Lani Gering Miriam Kramer Genevieve LeFranc Cindy McGovern Meg Mullery
CONTRIBUTORS Melinda Myers Vanessa Orr Billy Phibbs Ron Powers Kim Putens Julie Reardon Ashley Schultz Jaime Stephens Bob Tagert Aaron Tallent Carl Trevisan Ryan Unverzagt Lori Welch Brown
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16
35
A Bit of History................................................................ 9
From the Bay...................................................................22
After Hours.......................................................................12
From the Trainer............................................................40
Alexandria Events............................................................ 3
Gallery Beat.....................................................................14
Arts & Antiques..............................................................15
Go Fish...............................................................................42
Business Profile................................................................. 4
Grapevine.........................................................................35
Caribbean Connection...............................................20
High Notes.......................................................................12
Dining Guide...................................................................34
Let’s Eat..............................................................................32
Dining Out.......................................................................30
Local Farmers Markets................................................... 3
Exploring Virginia Wines............................................37
National Harbor.............................................................44
Financial Focus.................................................................. 8
On the Road with OTC................................................... 1
First Blush.........................................................................41
Open Space.....................................................................43
Fitness................................................................................39
Personality Profile............................................................ 6
Pets of the Month.........................................................19 Points on Pets.................................................................18 Publisher’s Notes.............................................................. 2 Road Trip...........................................................................24 Social Media Message................................................... 2 Take Photos, Leave Footprints.................................16 The Last Word.................................................................11 To the Blue Ridge......................................................... 26 Urban Garden.................................................................29
© 2020 Crier Media Group, Inc. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the written consent of the publisher. The Old Town Crier is published monthly and distributed to select Alexandria residents, hotels, restaurants and retail shops. Also distributed in the Annapolis, Fredericksburg, Blue Ridge and Washington, DC areas and St. John, USVI.
about the cover The Wharf at the end of Washington Street in downtown Leonardtown, Maryland. Photo by Lani Gering
Old Town Crier
On the road with OTC Gal-pals (clockwise, from left) Daisy, Lauren, and Lisa share a sunny lunchtime walk admist the cicada's song in Historic Downtown Winchester. Pictured here is the John Handley Library, a Winchester landmark. If you would like to see your photograph in this space, take a copy of the OTC with you and snap a high resolution image and send it along with information for the caption to office@oldtowncrier. com. Your photo will appear both online and in the print version. Please include your mailing address so we can make sure you get a hard copy.
June 2021 | 1
PUBLISHER’S NOTES
BOB TAGERT
Last year at his time the COVID-19 pandemic began to tighten its grip. Social distancing was in place and face masks were mandatory. Restaurant seating was drastically reduced and bars were closed. Marketing for tourism dried up and retail had to monitor the number of shoppers in the store. Our revenues dropped well over 60 percent as advertising dried up. We were indeed lucky to retain some of our core advertising that saw us through the rough times and we will forever be grateful to those businesses and individuals. Now, a year later, we are emerging from that abyss. Local destinations are once again looking for tourist dollars to help their struggling economies. Take note in this issue of our Road Trip to St. Mary’s County in Maryland. If you are looking for a drive to the mountains check out The Blue Ridge Whiskey and Wine Loop ad. We still have a way to go but the tide has finally turned. In this issue Sarah Becker takes a look at Juneteenth in A Bit of History. In Grapevine, Matt Fitzsimmons shows us how to mix wine with exercise and adventure. Miriam Kramer takes us into the mind of Adella Ajullar in “Mistress of the Art of Death” in The Last Word. Take Photos, Leave Footprints takes us to Iceland and The Blue Lagoon. In Open Space, Lori Welch Brown writes a letter to her late father for Father’s Day. On that note, Happy Father’s Day to all of the Dads that are out there. So far this year we have seen much improvement in the battle with the virus. Let’s hope that the numbers in VA and the surrounding areas keep dropping so the mandates can be lifted on the 15th and we can begin to put COVID-19 far behind us. The key is getting the masses vaccinated and it appears we are on the right track. And the mask? Even though I have had my vaccine shots, I will continue to carry my mask and don it in certain crowded situations. Everyone will make their own personal choice...having the mask available is mine. Enjoy the month of June - get out Old Glory and put her on display on the 14th as we celebrate Flag Day and officially welcome summer into season on the 20th!
Welcome Summertime!
SOCIAL MEDIA MESSAGE
N
ow that most restrictions have been eased, and we are able to leave our homes without so much worry, it is time to take those vacations, travel and experience the World again. We all love sharing those photos of us enjoying our vacations, making all those still sitting at their desk either at the office or at home jealous of our current adventures. Yet, there is a right way and a wrong way to do it, and if you are not careful you could come back from vacation to find your home emptied of all your valuables! Here are some tips to help you share your vacation experiences on Facebook without adding undue risk to you and your family’s personal safety!
Don’t post pictures while on vacation Want to share that breathtaking view of the sunset from the balcony of your hotel? Doing so may have just 2 | June 2021
ASHLEY ROSSON
What Not to Post on Social Media While on Vacation
given away your present location in the GPS geotag information that is often embedded in the metadata of the picture when you took it. The geotag reveals where the picture was taken and could provide both friends and strangers with your current location, of course this all depends on your privacy settings.
Don’t post upcoming travel plans One of the worst things you can do is to post details of your upcoming travel plans and itineraries on social media. You will be giving potential thieves a big “OPEN” sign of when you will be gone and when you will be back. You are also revealing where you will be and even when- and criminals could be there waiting for you. Your family and employer should be the only people who need to know SOCIAL MEDIA > PAGE 5
Old Town Crier
Alexandria ` EVENTS & INFORMATION
Ramsey House Visitors Center at the corner of King and Fairfax is now open.
FEATURED SUMMER EVENTS
see how beer was brewed in the 18th century. Enjoy concessions from the Mount Vernon Inn Food Truck, enjoy an 18th-century ice cream-making demonstration and more.
Alexandria Drive-In Movie Series
Fridays and Saturdays throughout the summer Admission: $40 per car 5001 Eisenhower Ave. 571-281-2083 alexandriadrivein.com
Independence Fireworks at George Washington’s Mount Vernon
The Alexandria Drive-In series, located in city’s Eisenhower corridor, announces new films every month and features a popular collection of movie classics and family favorites. Food trucks will be onsite each night providing delicious sweet and savory concessions with online ordering available.
“Sounds of Hope & Harmony”
George Washington’s Mount Vernon
Enjoy an evening of family fun and fireworks along with patriotic music to celebrate our nation’s founding. Tickets are available with and without Mansion tours. Access to the Mansion is by guided tour only.
Classical Movements is delighted to announce their next series of intimate, socially-distanced concerts and recitals at the Secret Garden of the Rectory on Princess Street, Classical Movements’ home in Old Town Alexandria. “Sounds of Hope & Harmony” returns for a 40-concert season, extending through August 26th. June 19 & 20 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. Admission: $40 for members; $48 for general public George Washington’s Mount Vernon 3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy 703-780-2000 mountvernon.org
Admission: From $35 for adult members and $45 for adult non-members; from $22 for youth members and $33 for youth non-members
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Hwy. 703-780-2000 mountvernon.org
Thursdays at 5:30 and 7 p.m. Saturdays at 4 and 7 p.m. throughout the summer Admission: $42 per person The Rectory at Princess Street 711 Princess St. 703-683-6040 classicalmovements.com
Craft Beer Festival
June 25 & 26 6 p.m. to 9:45 p.m.
MORE SUMMER EVENTS & TOURS Taste of Old Town North Through June 21st Admission: $10 for a passport Various locations throughout Old Town North 703-836-8066 oldtownnorth.org Enjoy a stroll through the neighborhood with this year’s reimagined Taste of Old Town North. Passport holders will be able to use their Passport to receive discounts at small businesses throughout Old Town North.
Sample craft beer from local breweries and
CALENDAR > PAGE 7
Connect with us!
VisitAlexandriaVA.com • #visitALX • #ALXRestaurantWeek Blog: blog.VisitAlexandriaVA.com
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VisitAlexVA
LOCAL FARMERS MARKETS OLD TOWN FARMERS MARKET Market Square 301 King Street Saturdays, 7 am – 12 Noon Year Round The Old Town Market is thought to be the one of nation’s oldest continuing markets operating since 1753. It is said that George Washington sent his products from Mount Vernon to be sold here. Today the plaza is a mecca for farmers and artists to sell their wares. The Market is a primary source for meats, dairy, fish, fruits, vegetables and flowers for all those who visit.
DEL RAY FARMERS MARKET Corner of Mt. Vernon and Oxford Avenues Saturdays, 8 am to Noon Year Round This market is strictly a producer grown market. Lots of fresh vegetables, fruits, fish and salmon, fresh mushrooms, baked goods, hard cider. Farmers are within a 150 mile radius of Alexandria. A non-profit is featured each weekend.
OLD TOWN NORTH FARMERS & ARTISANS MARKET Montgomery Park 901 North Royal Street Thursdays, 3 pm – 7 pm Year Round Alexandria’s favorite dog friendly market! The Old Town North Thursday Market is a growers only market with a focus on produce from small family farms and local artisans. Products sold at the market include fresh fruits and veggies from Virginia’s Northern Neck, Micro Greens from an urban farm, Empanadas, Fresh baked pastries with a European flair and much more.
FOUR MILE RUN FARMERS & ARTISANS MARKET 4109 Mount Vernon Avenue Sundays, 9 am – 1 pm Year Round This market offers fresh, nutritious food to people of all income levels and strives to reflect the diversity of Alexandria’s community. Local artisans display their arts and crafts as well Due to the restrictions of the pandemic, all guidelines suggested by the CDC, the Virginia Department of Health and the City of Alexandria are followed by the market managers and the vendors at these markets. June 2021 | 3
BUSINESS PROFILE
LANI GERING
GOODIES FROZEN CUSTARD & TREATS 200 COMMERCE STREET MMGOODIES.COM INFO@MMGOODIES.COM
A sample of Goodie’s goodies. …Goodies Frozen Custard & Treats is settling in nicely at the newly renovated historic Ice House located in the west end of King Street in Old Town Alexandria at 200 Commerce Street. The long awaited opening happened on May 29th. Many of you readers may recognize the Goodies name from the popular Metro Van named Gigi that occupied the DC areas first and only vintage mobile eatery. While Gigi is still a big part of this operation, she has been relegated to being used for catering and private events. Clad in dapper plaid Bermuda shorts, stylin’ button front shirts and bow ties, the forces behind the Goodies enterprise are none other than Brandon Byrd and his side kick Rozell Moore. Byrd is the Founder and CEO of one of the “Nations’ top 4 Food Trucks and the #1 Dessert Truck” - according to the Food Network - and Moore is his Operations Manager. I had the pleasure of meeting Brandon and Rozell in 2016 when they were occupying one of the Kiosks on American Way in National Harbor. I was living in the Harbor then and the Goodies Kiosk was my favorite and it looks like this new location is going to become a neighborhood favorite in no 4 | June 2021
time as well.
Rozelle and Brandon While I was taking photos and talking with Brandon, several neighbors stopped by and expressed their excitement about having Goodies just a few doors away. As the word spreads, I am sure this will soon become an Old Town destination. The To quote Byrd, “Goodies Goodies Mission Statement represents a time and place - “We are founded on a where town’s people said pioneer spirit of character, “hello” and most folks knew integrity and high quality; the milkman’s name…a place our company is dedicated to where honor and integrity excellence in products and lived and a handshake was service to our customers”as good as any contract! pretty much says it all. When “Made in America” evoked you meet Brandon and Rozell a sense of pride quality and you will see that they live up to this statement. craftsmanship…”heavy metal”
referred to classic Ford and Chevy muscle cars and Detroit was known as the “Motor City”! Goodies takes you back to that simpler place and time where passion, integrity, quality and customer service were more than mere words. A time period when Dick Clarks’ American Bandstand dominated TV; and Rock & Roll artists like Ray Charles, Little Richard, Elvis, Fats Domino and Chubby Checker ruled the jukeboxes.” All of the above is true. All one has to do is follow the good music flowing out of the Coca Cola machine in the front of the building – yes, the
Coca Cola machine - to find a true “All American” treat. Let’s get to the good stuff – the custard! It is handmade DAILY by Byrd and Moore in their new location and I don’t think that I can actually describe just how good the custard is. My favorite way to eat it is in their Old Fashioned Root Beer Float made with Sprecher Gourmet Root Beer! In addition to the “Pick and Pour” floats, on their menu are shakes, sundaes, peach cobbler and donuts and combinations of them all. They say a picture is worth a thousand words so I hope those on this page are enticing enough for you to seek them out. Goodies has been the recipient of many awards and the subject material of many spotlights in all of our local media outlets as well as some nice national coverage. Byrd and his associates are well deserving of all the accolades that have been bestowed on them. He is a self-made entrepreneur who doesn’t take his success for granted. If only there were many more business people out there like him. For more information about Goodies check them out on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram or log on to their website at mmmgoodies.com. Old Town Crier
specifics about your travel plans.
Don’t tag other vacationers while they’re still on vacation Vacationing with friends or family? You should probably not tag them in pictures or status updates while you are still on vacation, because doing so will reveal their current location as well as your own. They might not want this information about themselves broadcast for the same reason mentioned here. Wait until everyone is safely at home and then tag them later if they want to be tagged. You can help keep your own details from being broadcast by others, by enabling Facebook’s tag review. Which I suggest having on, even when not on vacation. If you haven’t seen the trend yet, let me yell it out for you……DON’T POST STATUS UPDATES WHILE STILL ON VACATION! A thief trolling social media, or perhaps a friend of a friend with a not so honest brother
who happens to see your vacation post, might decide that while you are away on your expensive vacation, your home will be his personal playground to outplay his fantasy of being a plundering pirate! Putting current updates out there, that place you far away, gives the thief or thieves ample time to plan and then execute robbery of your house. After all, you won’t be back anytime soon. Never assume that your status post is going out to only your friends, even if your Facebook privacy settings only allow friends to view your posts. Your friend may be reading your post at a coffee shop unaware as a stranger gawks at the same thing over his shoulder. Or your friend may have left a Facebook account logged in on a computer at the local library (yes they still exist), allowing the next guy to sit down at it to view your status posts and more. In conclusion, oversharing on Facebook can be risky. If you wouldn’t give out your vacation plans to a room full of strangers, don’t share them on Facebook until you have safely returned home.
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SOCIAL MEDIA | FROM PAGE 3
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June 2021 | 5
PERSONALITY PROFILE BOB TAGERT
“It’s all new to me, I just started bartending.” Edgar Tista - The Warehouse “I’m starting to get back into the groove.” Kathy Coombs - River Bend Bistro
“Slow down, you move too fast!” Tami Hatridge - Landini Brothers
Split Personalities
Returning to the Bar Post Pandemic
T
his time last year we were knee deep in the COVID-19 pandemic. Restaurants were working at twenty-five percent capacity, the bars were shut down and retail shops were limited to a few customers at a time. Now, a year later, the restaurants are at near capacity, and the bars are alive again with customers bellying up to their favorite bar and to renew friendships. As I returned to my favorite watering hole this week it became clear that this was not the same place I left a year ago. Sure, there were some of the old gang there, but some were missing and I wonder if they will ever return. Much has changed in the last 12 months. Some have moved away, some have reassed their behavior habits while others have discovered different options. True that this was the first day that the bars were open for usual seating so maybe it was like the last day of school and everyone rushed to the playground in hopes of regaining what has been missing this past year. In my case, the bar was filled with folks that I had not seen in awhile. I got one of the last two seats at the bar. As I began to renew acquaintances I realized there was also a number of new people eager to get the bartenders attention. The etiquette of this particular establishment had been ingrained in us all over the years. There was no raising the hand and waving for the attention of 6 | June 2021
the bartender. They see you as soon as you walk in. These are lessons I learned long ago. The next evening when I returned to the same bar the place wasn’t two deep at the bar, in fact it was only about half full with some I knew and others I didn’t. So now I wonder if things will return as they were before the pandemic or are they forever changed. Will folks brave the winds of change by seeking out new destinations? Will they change their behavior and seek a new direction? My guess is that this will take time as each day will dictate our actions and maybe not the status quo of yesterday. Time will tell. In the meantime, I talked to a few of our local bartenders and asked for their thoughts on the post pandemic landscape. No one really had a clear picture, they too are in a wait and see posture, but to a man or woman, they are prepared and waiting for the business. If you are looking for a new destination and new friends check out the restaurants that advertise in this publication. They are a diverse group and can accommodate every whim. I doubt that our lives will ever be normal again. I fear that there is a new normal and we don’t know what it is yet. Until then, I will probably spend more time at home but I am sure that I will be enjoying a vodka gimlet at one of Old Towns great bars. Come join me!
“Eat fish, drink beer, live longer.” Todd Shlanta - Fish Market Anchor Bar
“Make yourself at home!” Brad and Bruce Wytucki - Union Street Public House Old Town Crier
CALENDAR | FROM PAGE 3
CARLYLE HOUSE EVENTS
121 N. Fairfax St. 703-549-2997 novaparks.com/parks/carlylehouse-historic-park
Discover Alexandria Architecture Walking Tour June 12 & July 17, 2021 10 to 11:30 a.m. Admission: $20 per person
Join Carlyle House for a tour of Alexandria, exploring at the various architecture styles that adorn the city streets and make it one of the best places to live and work. Reservations are required as space is limited. Please wear comfortable shoes for this 1.5 hour guided tour. Tour is held rain or shine unless there is severe weather.
“Tell Me Your Name” Tour at Carlyle House June 18 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Admission: $10 per person
Join Carlyle House Historic Park staff for a tour focusing on the experiences of the enslaved community at Carlyle House and his plantations. The guided tour will explore the historical context of slavery in 18th century Alexandria and the importance of ongoing research efforts to connect with descendants. Reservations are required as space is limited.
Legacy of the Green Cabinet Walking Tour June 20 3:30 to 5 p.m. Admission: $20 per person
Join Carlyle House on a tour to learn about James Green and his family’s life here in Alexandria. Reservations are required as space is limited. Please wear comfortable shoes for this 1.5 hour guided tour. Tour is held rain or shine unless there is severe weather
First Thursdays in Del Ray June 3, July 1, August 5 & September 2 Beginning at 6 p.m. Various locations in Del Ray in Alexandria, VA 22301 visitdelray.com
This summer’s themes include “Unmask Your Superhero First Thursday,” “First Thursday Red, White & Blue,” “First Thursday Aloha Thursday” and “First Thursday Show Your Spirit,” respectively. Order dinner and drinks for carryout from one of Del Ray’s local restaurants, stroll the neighborhood and have dinner on your front porch, front steps or front yard. Old Town Crier
12th Annual Taste of Del Ray June 4 - 6 Admission: $5 per person Various restaurants in Del Ray, Alexandria, VA 22301 visitdelray.com Top area restaurants are slated to participate in the 12th Annual Taste of Del Ray, which will shift to a take-out format from Friday, June 4 to Sunday, June 6. Throughout the weekend, each participating restaurant will offer participants up to three select “tastes” for just $5 each. Online registration is just $5 and includes the exclusive menu of available tastes and specialty cocktails, plus a ballot for the People’s Choice Award.
LEE-FENDELL HOUSE EVENTS 614 Oronoco St. 703-548-1789 leefendallhouse.org
Trivia Nights at Historic Sites
June 11 & 25 Admission: $8 per person; includes snacks and one drink ticket Staff members at Carlyle House Historic Park and the Lee-Fendall House Museum combine their knowledge to create bi-weekly trivia nights throughout the summer in the beautiful LeeFendall gardens. With a different theme each night, test your knowledge on everything from pop culture to history. Registration must be done in advance. Tickets include snacks and one complimentary drink. Additional drinks can be purchased at our bar. Teams are limited to 6 people, ages 21+ only. There will be weekly prizes for the winning team as well as a grand prize for the team that wins the most points over the entire summer.
Beyond the Battlefield: A Walking Tour of Civil War Alexandria
June 12th at 9 a.m. Admission: $15 per person
This walking tour shares the stories of soldiers, citizens, and self-liberated African Americans in Civil War Alexandria. It covers the military occupation, the conversion of public and private buildings into hospitals, and emancipation. The tour is limited to 10 participants and lasts approximately an hour and a half. Walking tours take place rain or shine so please wear appropriate shoes and clothing. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are $15 per person. Members of LeeFendall House are free but must call or email to make a reservation (703) 548-1789 or contact@ leefendallhouse.org.
Under the Same Roof: Enslaved and Free Servants at the LeeFendall House
OLD TOWN Mini-Mart
June 19 2 p.m. Admission: $10 per person
This Juneteenth, explore the Lee-Fendall House from the perspectives of the enslaved and free African Americans who lived and worked in the home as domestic servants, both before and after the Civil War. The tour is limited to 8 participants. Tickets must be purchased in advance and are $10 per person. Members of LeeFendall House are free but must call or email to make a reservation (703) 548-1789 or contact@ leefendallhouse.org.
Del Ray Vintage & Flea Market June 12, July & August 14 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Admission: Free Parking lot of 1900 Mount Vernon Ave. 703-915-2214 delrayvintageflea.com
The goal of the market is to give community members a chance to participate in a grass-roots event, either as shoppers or vendors, with vintage/antique/flea market items they are hoping to sell or acquire. Items for sale range from vintage and like-new clothing to housewares, sports memorabilia, child and baby items, artwork and more. A wide variety of prices and items are represented.
ABOUT ALEXANDRIA, VA Named a Top 5 Best Small City in the U.S. 2020 for three consecutive years by the Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards and one of the South’s Best Cities 2020 by Southern Living, Alexandria hums with a cosmopolitan feel and a walkable lifestyle—a welcoming weekend escape next to our nation’s capital. A nationally designated historic district founded in 1749, Old Town Alexandria is home to more than 200 independent restaurants and boutiques alongside intimate historic museums and new happenings at the waterfront. At the heart of it all is bustling King Street, a walkable mile recognized as one of the “Great Streets” of America. New restaurants tucked into 18th- and 19thcentury architecture still intact from the city’s days as George Washington’s hometown ignite historic and off-the-beatenpath neighborhoods as the waterfront district evolves with new energy. Learn more at VisitAlexandriaVA.com.
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June 2021 | 7
FINANCIAL FOCUS
CARL TREVISAN, CFP© & STEPHEN BEARCE
6 STEPS TOWARD YOUR RETIREMENT GOALS What should you consider today to help you move forward?
Y
ou want retirement to be your chance to get out of the rat race and have time for the things you’ve always wanted to do. That’s great, but what exactly does that mean? Travelling? Volunteering? Spending time with family and friends? Starting a business? Simply doing nothing? You may think your plans are just like everyone else’s, but that’s unlikely. They’re as unique as you are. As we’ll discuss, exactly how you want to spend your time will definitely affect what you should be doing now to prepare for it. However, there are steps that everyone should consider taking today regardless of their retirement goals. Here are six of the most important:
Have a plan If you haven’t gathered your ideas about retirement together and distilled them into a cohesive investment plan, that’s a great place to start. Or if you have a plan stuck in a drawer somewhere, you need to revisit it. Whether you want to start a second career, travel the world, or just do nothing will make a big difference when it comes to what you’ll need to cover your expenses. The better you can define precisely what your goals are and which are most and least important, the better your plan should be. An asset allocation – how your investments are proportioned across different asset classes (stocks, bonds, 8 | June 2021
cash alternatives, etc.) – should be at the heart of your plan. The allocation that’s appropriate for you will vary depending on a variety of factors. Primarily, these are what you want your investments to help you achieve (objectives), how comfortable you are with market volatility (risk tolerance), and how long it will be before you plan to retire (time horizon).
Use tax-advantaged accounts Even if you don’t have a retirement plan as such, chances are you have savings in employer-sponsored qualified retirement plans (QRPs), such as 401(k) or 403(b) plans, or a traditional or Roth IRA. If that’s the case, good for you. These tax-advantaged accounts can be great ways to work toward your retirement goals because paying taxes each year on any growth, as you would with taxable accounts, can dramatically reduce the amount you end up with. If you participate in a QRP and your employer offers a matching contribution, try to contribute at least as much as the match – otherwise, you are leaving free money on the table. If your employer doesn’t offer a QRP or you’re self-employed, look into opening an IRA.
Clean up your accounts Over the years, you may have accumulated a number of IRAs and QRP accounts with your current and past employers. Along with that, you may
own taxable investments in different full-service and online accounts. And your spouse or partner may be in a similar situation. Having a portfolio in pieces like this may make it more difficult for you to reach your retirement goals. Take time to figure out how many accounts you actually have, and consider the potential benefits of consolidating them, including helping you to:
something major has happened in your life (a birth, marriage, illness, divorce, etc.) that makes you want to change it. In addition, consider rebalancing once a year by checking your accounts to see if market activity has shifted your investments away from your desired asset allocation. If it has, you may want to sell some investments and buy others to bring your accounts back into alignment.
• Understand how your assets allocated
Prepare for emergencies
• Decide when it’s time to rebalance • Know exactly what investments you own • Save time • Manage your beneficiary designations
Try to stay in the market When the market takes a big hit, you may be tempted to sell investments with the intention of getting back in when the things turn around. This practice, known as market timing, may sound good, but as we’ve all seen, the market can be extremely unpredictable, making success with this strategy very difficult. If you get out when the market’s down, you could miss out on significant gains if it suddenly turns around before you get back in. And that can prove costly. Rather than attempting to time the market, try to stick with your asset allocation when there’s market volatility unless
Events like a sudden job loss or unanticipated home repair can quickly derail your retirement plans. To help protect you and your family, consider keeping an emergency fund with enough money to cover three to six months of living expenses. These funds should be held in a liquid but stable account, such as a bank savings account, so you can access them when needed and not have to worry about fluctuations in value. Consider an advisory account If you’re not comfortable with or interested in managing your retirement savings, consider using an advisory account. These accounts are run by professional money managers who choose the investments, make buy and sell decisions, and periodically readjust the holdings in the account to maintain your chosen asset allocation. Instead of paying commissions for trades in an advisory account, you are
charged a management fee based on the value of the assets in your account. Investing involves risk, including the possible loss of principal. Asset allocation cannot eliminate the risk of fluctuating prices and uncertain returns. Diversification does not guarantee profit or protect against loss in declining markets. Stocks offer longterm growth potential but may fluctuate more and provide less current income than other investments. An investment in the stock market should be made with an understanding of the risks associated with common stocks, including market fluctuations. Wells Fargo Advisors does not offer tax or legal advice. This article was written by/ for Wells Fargo Advisors and provided courtesy of Carl M. Trevisan, Managing DirectorInvestments and Stephen M. Bearce, First Vice PresidentInvestments in Alexandria, VA at 800-247-8602. Investments in securities and insurance products are: NOT FDIC-INSURED/NOT BANKGUARANTEED/MAY LOSE VALUE Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered broker-dealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. © 2021 Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC. All rights reserved. Old Town Crier
A BIT OF HISTORY
©2021 SARAH BECKER
Mural Artist: Reginald C. Adams
O
n June 19th, 1865, Union Major General Gordon Granger entered Galveston, Texas, and announced the end of the Civil War, the belated end of southern slavery. General Order No. 3: “The people of Texas are informed that, in accordance with a [January 1, 1863] proclamation from the Executive of the United States [President Abraham Lincoln], all slaves are free. This involves an absolute equality of personal rights and rights of property, between former masters and slaves and the connection heretofore existing between them, becomes that between employer and hired labor. The Freedmen are advised to remain at their present homes and work for wages. They are informed that they will not be allowed to collect at military posts; and they will not be supported in idleness either there or elsewhere.” Texans celebrated Juneteenth beginning in 1866. It was revived in 1979 and became an official state holiday in 1980. The Commonwealth of Virginia first acknowledged the June 19th jubilee in 2007—the 44th state to do so. Why so late to the table? Virginia—for more than 150 years—has championed southern history: Confederate Generals, Lee-Jackson Day, and the Lost Cause. “The lessons that negroes make a bad use of liberty is taught daily in the police court of this and all other cities in
Old Town Crier
which they are numerous,” the Alexandria Gazette wrote on August 1, 1895. “Nearly all the cases before such courts are those of negroes, the parties to which are either sent to jail or the work house, put on the chain gang, or impoverished by fines. Before the Negroes were freed it was a rarity for one of them to be arrested…their money spent in the payment of fines.” “Between the idea of equality enshrined in the Declaration of Independence and the notion of popular sovereignty, between the demands of nationalism and the intimacies of community, between the bumptious sense of manifest destiny of a growing nation and the hard rock of slavery…stood an old and enduring tension in American life,” author Jay Winik penned. “Since 1619, when representative democracy and enslaved African people arrived in Virginia—within a month of each other—we have said one, but done another,” Virginia Governor Ralph Northam said in 2020. “It’s time we elevate Juneteenth not just as a celebration by and for some Virginians, but one acknowledged and commemorated by all of us.” “About the last of August came in a dutch man of warre that sold us twenty ‘Negars,’” Virginia colonist and Pocahontas husband-tobe John Rolfe noted in 1619. The first “Negars” entered as “indentured servants who could theoretically be freed
in five years.” The remainder came as slaves. According to Illinois lawyer Abraham Lincoln the earliest Congresses viewed slavery “in the narrowest limits of necessity.” Declared Lincoln in 1854: “When southern people tell us they are no more responsible for the origin of slavery than we; I acknowledge the fact. When it is said that the institution exists; and that it is very difficult to get rid of it, in any satisfactory way, I can understand and appreciate the saying. I surely will not blame them for not doing what I should not know how to do myself. If all earthly power were given me, I should not know what to do, as to the existing institution. My first impulse would be to free all the slaves and send them to Liberia—to their own native land [by way of the American Colonization Society]. That said…When the white man governs himself that is self-government. But when he governs himself and also governs another man, that is more than self-government— that is despotism. If the negro is a man, why then my ancient faith teaches me that ‘all men are created equal’ and that there can be no moral right in connection with one man’s making a slave of another. In 1794 [Congress] prohibited an out-going slavetrade—that is, the taking of slaves from the United States to sell. In 1798 [Congress] prohibited the bringing of
slaves from Africa into the Mississippi Territory—this territory then comprising what are now the States of Mississippi and Alabama. In 1800 [Congress] prohibited American citizens from trading in slaves between foreign countries— as, for instance, from Africa to Brazil. In 1803 [Congress] passed a law…in restraint of the internal slave trade. In 1807, in apparent hot haste, [Congress] passed the law… prohibiting the African slave trade by heavy pecuniary and corporal penalties. [Finally] in 1820, finding these provisions ineffectual, [Congress] declared trade piracy, and annexed to it, the extreme penalty of death…Thus we see the plain unmistakable spirit of that age was hostility to the principle of slavery and toleration of it only by necessity.” U.S. Representative Abraham Lincoln [Whig-IL] first tried to abolish slavery in the District of Columbia—the shameful slave trade—in 1849. He unsuccessfully “reported a bill for the abolition of slavery… with the consent of the voters of the District, and with compensation to owners.” Twelve years later President Abraham Lincoln [R-IL] signed the 37th Congress’ District of Columbia Compensated Emancipation Act. The Act, as signed on April 16, 1862: Sec. 1: “Be it enacted That all persons held to service or labor within the District of Columbia by reason of African dissent are hereby discharged
...When the white man governs himself that is self-government. But when he governs himself and also governs another man, that is more than selfgovernment— that is despotism. —Abe Lincoln, 1854 and freed of and from all claim to such service or labor and from and after the passage of this act neither slavery nor involuntary servitude—except for crime whereof the party shall be duly convicted—shall hereafter exist in said District.” The 1862 Act immediately emancipated “2,989 former slaves; compensated former owners who were loyal to A BIT OF HISTORY > PAGE 10
June 2021 | 9
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A BIT OF HISTORY | FROM PAGE 9
the Union of up to $300 for each freed slave, voluntary colonization of former slaves to locations outside the United States, and payments of up to $100 for each [freed slave] choosing emigration.” Freedom, as defined by the American Heritage Dictionary: 1. The condition of being free. 2a. Political independence. 2b. Possession of civil rights. 3. Ease of movement. 4. Frankness or boldness. 5. Unrestricted use or access. Freedom, as limited by legislated Black Codes: in 1808 District Mayor Robert Brent and the D.C. Board of Aldermen “made it unlawful for ‘Negroes’ or ‘loose, idle, disorderly persons to be on the streets after 10 p.m.’” Mississippi was the first southern state, first defeated Confederate state to formalize the Black Code—on November 24, 1865. Freedom, as limited by racial segregation in the cities: Virginia, readmitted to the Union in 1870, enacted its first statewide segregation law in 1900. Still Alexandria buries its 1930s-1950s history of Colored Rosement. Of white developer Virginia Fitzhugh Wheat Thomas; the GI bill and black home ownership, segregation and unrestricted racial covenants. Musician and socialite; heiress and realtor Virginia Thomas bought “real estate [on June 19, 1939] bounded by Wythe, Payne, West and Pendleton Streets” as part of a privatelyfunded housing project known as colored Rosemont. D.C.’s first Emancipation Day Parade took place on April 19, 1866. Today it also celebrates Juneteenth. For many, Juneteenth offers an opportunity “to discuss the links between segregation, racial discrimination, xenophobia, and nativism,” Shennette Garrett-Scott wrote in When Peace Come: Teaching the Significance of Juneteenth. “By World War I segregation laws were firmly in place and a tide of nativism engulfed the country. Many whites and even some blacks saw Juneteenth as unAmerican because it focused attention on a dark period of U.S. history.” Maryland officially recognized Juneteenth in 2014; Virginia declared it a state holiday in 2020. U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) now seeks “to make Juneteenth a federal holiday.” Said Booker
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...Absolute Emancipation establishes the fact that the United States henceforth knows no color, no race, in its law, but legislates for all alike—one law for all men [and women].
—Ralph Waldo Emerson, 1865
in 2020, “Our nation still has a long way to go to reckon with and overcome the dark legacy of slavery; the violence and injustice that has persisted after its end.” “Many people and nations get national amnesia when it comes to remembering evil, the disgraceful, the follies, the shameful and the bad portions of history,” Van Caldwell wrote in 2002 in The Washington Post. “To become mentally healthy and whole, as a nation, we must deal honestly with the good and evil parts of our individual and national personalities and character…But with the national assassination of Lincoln second- and third-rate politicians from the North and South took over…A national day to remember, study, and celebrate the abolition of legalized slavery could give us another start toward reconciliation and integration.” Reconcile, as defined by the American Heritage Dictionary: 1. To establish a close relationship between. 2. To settle or resolve. 3. To bring oneself to accept. 4. To make compatible or consistent, as to reconcile opposing views. Integrate, as defined by the American Heritage Dictionary: 1. To make into a whole; unify. 2. To join with something else; unite. 3. To open to people male and female, of all races and ethnic groups without restriction. Amendment 13, as ratified December 6, 1865, constitutionally ended slavery.
Section 1: “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction. Section 2: Congress shall have the power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.” Black slaves once were property as are/were married women. Women, black women included, still wait for Senate passage of the Equal Rights Amendment. Here’s hoping a national day will promote equality for All! “Ain’t no more Juneteenth like it used to be,” poet J. Mason Brewer wrote in 1960. “When Abe Lincoln writ a letter/ Settin’ all the black folks free./ Ain’t no more big picnics, by the riverside./ Where we all sang ‘Swing Low Sweet Chariot’/ ‘Til we all broke down and cried.” “Juneteenth marked the end of slavery in this country, and it matters now because it says…this is everyone’s shared history and we will celebrate it together,” Governor Northam reminded. “Right-minded men would very easily bring order out of our American chaos, if working with courage, & without by-ends,” Ralph Waldo Emerson said in 1864. “Absolute Emancipation establishes the fact that the United States henceforth knows no color, no race, in its law, but legislates for all alike— one law for all men [and women].” “Morals is the test,” Emerson continued in 1865, “and it is only very lately that our own Churches, formerly silent on slavery & notoriously hostile to Abolitionists, wheeled into line for Emancipation.” Sarah Becker started writing for The Economist while a graduate student in England. Similar publications followed. She joined the Crier in 1996 while serving on the Alexandria Convention and Visitors Association Board. Her interest in antiquities began as a World Bank hire, with Indonesia’s need to generate hard currency. Balinese history, i.e. tourism provided the means. The New York Times describes Becker’s book, Off Your Duffs & Up the Assets, as “a blueprint for thousands of nonprofit managers.” A former museum director, SLAM’s saving grace Sarah received Alexandria’s Salute to Women Award in 2007. Email: abitofhistory53@ att.net Old Town Crier
THE LAST WORD MIRIAM R. KRAMER
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riting under the pen name Ariana Franklin, former journalist Diana Norman penned a series of five absorbing, colorful medieval thrillers, starting with Mistress of the Art of Death, about a female doctor and forensic investigator named Adelia Aguilar. The subsequent novels The Serpent’s Tale, Grave Goods, A Murderous Procession, and Death and the Maiden trace her development as a tenacious woman working to fulfill her mission solving murder mysteries in patriarchal twelfth-century England. A related novel, The Siege Winter, is equally intriguing. Children are going missing in Cambridge, England, and locals are blaming the Jews of the area, who have left their homes and hidden in a local castle to escape harassment. A boy named Peter has been found in the river Cam after having been crucified. King Henry II has started losing revenues from the Jewish community there, since his citizens want to expel Jews from the country. Pragmatic and cunning, he is intent on solving the problem before he loses more money from his treasury. Therefore he sends a request to Salerno, which is known for its doctors and medical investigators, to send him their best. As a tenacious investigator, Adelia can trace criminals like few others. In England she plunges into a series of murders that bring her talents
to the forefront. With her is Simon of Naples, a Jew who solves murders while using his unassuming personality behind the scenes. As a doctor Adelia cannot resist treating someone in pain. To practice medicine on locals she gets her bodyguard, Mansur, who does not speak English, to pretend to administer medicines and perform procedures. She masks herself as his assistant and does what needs to be done, along with practicing forensics. Ariana Franklin’s novels have a straightforward sense of humor, which alleviates the grimness of the murders she describes. When plain spoken, down-to-earth Adelia helps a prior with a medical problem involving his prostate, out of gratitude he brings her into the community and gets her, Simon of Naples, and Mansur the help they need from a plainspoken woman and her grandson in the flat, watery Fens of England. From there she can investigate a parade of pilgrims with whom she traveled to her destination, suspecting that one of them is the murderer she seeks. Franklin’s subsequent novels continue Adelia’s journey as she finds romance while maintaining her status as an independent woman in a world that wants her married and subservient. The saga of King Henry II and his noted wife, Queen Eleanor of Aquitaine, intertwines with her story, as she hobnobs with both humble peasants and royals during her
investigations. Those who like the book Outlander by Diana Gabaldon might enjoy this series as well as they time travel to Adelia’s world. Franklin portrays her as a feminist ahead of her time, an obstinate and dogged investigator devoted to her work and makeshift family that she discovers in England. Coming from a background embracing different colors and creeds, she is free of prejudices towards Jews, Arabs, and anyone outside the norm. This series succeeds because many of its characters are wellrealized, three-dimensional, and earthy. If you enjoy novels or TV series involving forensics, you will find examinations taking place in a much earlier time period refreshing. Franklin also describes England’s beauties of nature, particularly in the area now known as East Anglia. She died before finishing the series, so her daughter, Samantha Norman, co-wrote the final book in the series, Death and the Maiden. I was happily surprised to find that the tale took on a slightly more reflective and even lyrical tone with the addition of Norman’s viewpoint. Often books co-written by another writer are flat, manufactured, and disappointing. Samantha Norman penned a subsequent enjoyable novel on a character briefly seen in this series. Read The Siege Winter also if you relish these books. June 2021 | 11
HIGH NOTES
RON POWERS
H I GHE R P OWER by Coldplay
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I
typically don’t pay much attention to Coldplay. Sure, they’re a wellput-together band, but it’s been a while since they’ve raised my eyebrows. That is until “Higher Power”, the band’s latest single, was released. This song stands out in the crowd. It shows Coldplay pushing the boundaries of popular music and brings positive and fresh energy to a landscape that needs it badly. The first thing that strikes me about “Higher Power” is that it feels familiar and yet completely new. The song is rooted in the pop gold of the past and simultaneously at the cutting edge of music. There’s a clear presence of the 1980s in the song but there’s also decade-defining magic running through it. I find it inspiring that despite their colossal success, Coldplay still feels hungry to make great music. The song begins with an interesting voice counting down “three two one”. This is followed by a powerful melody line performed with synth, bass, and kick drum. Under the big sound of the synth, we hear a snappy drum pattern with all the low frequencies rolled off 12 | June 2021
creating a crackling electric vibe. Syncopated guitar notes which have that familiar Coldplay reverb effect are added to the rhythm layer and feel like sharp streams of light popping in and out of the mix. As all this is going on singer Chris Martin delivers a clever and smooth melody with the words “wah wah wahoooo”. All of this takes up about 13 seconds but it’s worth talking about because it holds the musical signature of the entire song. The newness in “Higher Power” is immediately felt and the love and care put into the song is why Coldplay deserves to be listened to. For the verse, the bass is performed with a pleasing mix of staccato and legato and maintains a smooth and even volume throughout. The drums for the verse consist of a full and fuzzy snare drum along with a kick drum that tightly follows the bass. As the bass and drums give the music a sturdy foundation the guitar darts around the mix like a gang of magical pixies leaving a trail of dust light. Percussive synth notes are also seasoned throughout the verse while Martin delivers worldclass lyrics and melody. For the chorus, we hear full-bodied and powerful
synth chords. Under the chords, high-pitched arpeggios are delivered with a plucked synth string sound. For the topline Chris Martin delivers the simple yet uplifting lyrics, “That you’ve got a higher power / Got me singing evеry second, dancing every hour / Oh yеah, you’ve got a higher power / And you’re really someone I wanna know, ooh”. Each time the chorus is repeated new musical elements are added which bring new excitement to the song. “Higher Power” is a song that Coldplay has put great care into, and every measure of the song bears the evidence of that care. Honestly, I don’t have enough space here to do this song justice. I could go on and on about the many small touches and variations sprinkled throughout “Higher Power.” It’s the sort of song you hear something new each time you listen. If you’d like to learn more about Coldplay, you can find them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. If you’d like to listen to their music, you can find them on Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, and most places music is streamed or sold.
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June 2021 | 13
GALLERY BEAT
F. LENNOX CAMPELLO
The
Monster Has Been Tamed... Hill Street by M Kotarba
A
Birds On a Wire by Maggie Paints 14 | June 2021
...Maybe!
s June arrives, I’m beginning to think that perhaps the Covidian monster has been tamed, art fairs are desperately seeking galleries to apply to show, the DMV’s outdoor art festivals are returning, and brushes, pens and pencils continued to be applied to paper or canvas. Notice that I did not mention cicadas or Brood X or none of that 17-year nonsense that feeds other papers’ pages these days. Restaurants, museums, bars, and libraries are allegedly open, except in Montgomery County, where Kommissar-Marc Elrich curiously has kept his iron boot on the throat of the county’s attempts to come back to life… and most libraries remain closed. Plein Air painting has always been a refreshing genre of art production, and our area boasts some of the best plein air painting events, perhaps none better than the one held in Easton, but one a bit closer to the DMV and just as
good is and a lot closer is the one in Ellicott City. In that annual event, artists from around the region gather in Ellicott City – this year the weekend of June 10-13 -- for Paint It! Ellicott City 2021. This year, the Howard County Arts Council (HCAC) and Visit Howard County have partnered to host this paint-out weekend culminating in an exhibit of 30 juried artists at the Howard County Center for the Arts. The guest juror for Paint It! Ellicott City 2021 is awardwinning landscape artist Lynn Mehta, who selected the following artists for the juried exhibit: Lissa Abrams, Bruno Baran, Pamela Betts, Julia Bowden, Cathy Cole, Shawn Costello, Ann Crostic, David Drown, Vlad Duchev, Kathleen Gray Farthing, Kathleen Ryan Gardiner, Erin Gill, Marita Hines, Nishita Jain, Rajendra GALLERY BEAT > `PAGE 15
Old Town Crier
ART&ANTIQUES
GALLERY BEAT | FROM PAGE 14
KC, Jane Knighton, Kathleen Kotarba, Michael Kotarba, Laura Martinez-Bianco, Michael McSorley, Amanda Milliner, Christine Rapa, Tom Ritchie, J. Stacy Rogers, Duane Sabiston, Maggii Sarfaty, Stacey Sass, Lida Stifel, Nancy Thomas, and Nancy Van Meter. The event begins with a virtual Welcome Reception & Event Kick-Off via Zoom on Wednesday, June 9 at 4pm. Then, all day on June 10-13, artists will set up their easels throughout Ellicott City’s historic district to capture the picturesque charm of the beloved mill town. Members of the public are invited to watch the artists at work from a safe distance while strolling Main Street. Artists and art students from the community can also be part of the fun by participating in the Open Paint-Out, which takes place concurrently. Artwork created during the Open PaintOut will be featured in a temporary exhibit at the Visit Howard County Welcome Center on Main Street. A virtual reception on Friday, June 18 from 6-7pm will include an award ceremony for the exhibit of juried artists’ work. More than $7,000 in awards will be presented, including the coveted Gino Awards, two $1,000 cash prizes named in honor of artist Gino Manelli and presented by the Manelli Family. Other awards include a $500 award sponsored by Patapsco Heritage Greenway, a $500 award by Blossoms of Hope, and a $150 Open Paint award sponsored by the Family of Carole Zink.
ANTIQUES
Solitude by Laura Martinez Bianco Registration is required for those wishing to be included in the Open PaintOut exhibit. Registration is available at the Arts Council and online at hocoarts.org/ paint-it before and during the event. Awright… you didn’t think that was all… did you? Here what I’m gonna do now: even though this event hasn’t happened as my talented hand type this column, I’m gonna take the extraordinary risk of looking at some of these artists’ online footprint and pick out a few faves. Kathleen Kotarba’s online presence shows me an artist who really understands the powerful effect which light can deliver at the hands of a talented artist. Her paintings are infused with the ever fluid colors of light at different times of the day, as it touches grass, wood, flowers, trees, people. Laura Martinez-Bianco is also formidably armed with those same skills as well as a very advanced ability to capture the nuances of light on water and the living nature of water itself. This talented artist also knows her composition, and is one of my favorites to win the top prize at Ellicot City. Duane Sabiston also stood apart. I like the manner in
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which his brush takes chances with bold statements in seriously contrasted painting areas within the canvas. J. Stacy Rogers is another artist who will win an award; enviable technical skill, an eye for the unusual in the landscape and a limitless ability to interpret what most of us “see” when we look at color. Who else did I like online? Rajendra KC can paint weather variations in the atmosphere with astonishing loose detail! Do not be fooled… only a master can do that. Nancy Van Meter will also win a prize, maybe the top prize; she’s a professional with almost supernatural talent. I admire the way in which Maggii Sarfaty goes on trying different things and ways and manners to deliver her art! That is a courageous (and enviable) sign of artistic courage that most artists lack. Sarfaty will not fall into the trap of getting comfortable with any success – she will then knock on another artistic barrier and knock it down. Of all the artists in this event, her work is the one that I am looking the most to discover.
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Potomac Fiber Arts Gallery 105 N. Union Street St. George Gallery 105 N. Alfred Street The Art League 105 Union Street Local Colour Old Town 218 N. Lee Street Icon Galleria 101 N. Union Street B&B Art Gallery 215 King Street Gallery West 1213 King Street Enamelist’s Gallery 105 N. Union Street Printmakers, Inc. 105 N. Union Street Kelly’s Art & Frame 510 N. Washington Street Oerth Gallery 420 S. Washington Street Jeffrey Winter Fine Arts 110A S. Columbus Street Johnston Matthew 105 N. Union Street Huddy Studio 105 N. Union Street Mezzanine Multiples 105 N. Union Street Silverman Galleries 110 N. St. Asaph Street Cochran David 105 N. Union Street Betty Grisham Studio 105 N. Union Street Imagine Artwear 112 King Street
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It’s All in the Bag
One of our favorite designers—Maruca—has lots of new and exciting bags for spring and summer. Wait till you see! This is our current fav fabric–called “kites” and it is avaialble in many styles. “Lil Buddy” is shown. But you might want to see them all in the shop or online! Visit us in Alexandria from 11 am to 5 pm, Wednesday through Sunday. We also offer private appointments and Facetime appointments as well. And, you can shop online anytime at all!
Natural crocheted cotton hammock Handmade in Nicaragua
915 King Street, Old Town Alexandria | 703-684-1435
Old Town Crier
1124 King Street • Alexandria, Virginia 22314 (703) 548-1461 • imagineartwear.com
June 2021 | 15
TAKE PHOTOS, LEAVE FOOTPRINTS
SCOTT DICKEN
Photos: Scott Dickens
W
ith the recent announcement that from April 6, 2021, all travelers – regardless of origin – are again welcome to visit Iceland (subject to conditions – see Icelandair.com for more information), now seems like the perfect time to discuss the country’s most famous attraction, the Blue Lagoon! The turquoise geothermally heated 37-39°C (99–102 °F) swimming waters of Iceland’s man-made Blue Lagoon are a modern-day international phenomenon and Iceland’s #1 tourist attraction. Without exception, not a day goes by (even during COVID) without my Instagram feed showing scantily clad, perfectly preened individuals meditatively staring into the pool’s otherworldly blue waters as though unaware their picture is being taken (belying the fact that they’ve been setting up the photo for the last 20 minutes). It wasn’t always like this. I remember visiting the Blue Lagoon in the 90’s and other than some fairly basic shower facilities the site was ‘under-developed’ and ‘under-visited’. My untoned body, bereft of the beneficial effects of natural sunlight (the curse of the red head), didn’t seem out of place. I could wallow in peace and solitude, enjoying the warm (and occasionally boiling) turquoise waters. So, on a relatively recent trip to Iceland, nearly twenty years after my first foray onto the tiny island with a mere 300,000 inhabitants, I was intrigued to revisit the Blue Lagoon and see how its Instagram infamy had affected its authenticity.
Crowd Control I’d heard that the Lagoon gets busy these days – I mean crazy busy. Resulting from a potent mixture of laziness and demanding work schedule, my wife and I had deferred buying Blue Lagoon entry tickets 16 | June 2021
until the week before our visit. It was January with average temperatures just below freezing – so surely we’d have no problem (or so we thought). Wrong. Our chosen 2pm slot (which we had specifically picked to most appropriately factor departure flight times and hangovers) was fully booked, as were the slots four hours either side of it. This wasn’t a good start and certainly was nothing like my experience twenty years ago when I just rocked up, walked in, and was one of the only ones bobbing around in the water! As a result of our booking snafu, we were forced to accept a 9am slot. As the sun doesn’t rise in Iceland until around 10.30am in January, we would initially be wallowing in darkness. Also, not great for photography. However, our initial disappointment soon evaporated when we realized the benefits of arriving early. The first being that there were no queues when we arrived. This benefit didn’t fully reveal itself until we emerged from the water like a pair of shriveled prunes 3 hours later to be greeted by a line of people snaking their way around the building. If we had snagged our preferred slot, it seems we would have spent the first hour of the experience in a tailback somewhat akin to rush hour in London. The second benefit of early arrival was that we had the chance to experience the lagoon in all phases of light; floodlit darkness when we first arrived, sunrise (which was fairly spectacular as the steam rose from the lagoon) and full daylight. This scenario is perfect for any photographer who
wants to see the lagoon in its full colour spectrum. Result: Through luck more than judgement, the crowds didn’t cause us many problems. As the morning waned into afternoon, the crowds got thicker, the noise level (fueled by beer and prosecco) increased to a dull roar and we couldn’t bob for two minutes without being hit by a selfiestick. By the time we left, the queues were reminiscent of a Disney theme park ride, and I imagine it was getting much tougher to find an empty locker to store one’s tighty whities and other valuables in whilst swimming. There were undoubtedly more bathers in the lagoon than when I first visited, but the lagoon has also expanded in size since then. I didn’t personally feel that the experience was tarnished by the number of people, but if you’re looking for a serene spa experience, then perhaps the Blue Lagoon isn’t the right place for you.
Technology and Expense What struck me next was the infiltration of modern technology into what is otherwise a fairly traditional Icelandic experience. Upon ‘checkin’ we were handed a wristband to wear which controls pretty much every part of your experience. Want an extra towel? Scan your wristband. Access to your locker? Scan your wristband. Want an algae mask? Scan your wristband. Prosecco, spa services or an in-water massage?.... you get the idea. The good news is that this makes the payment process simple and avoids you carrying a
pocket-full of soggy banknotes or a later dysfunctional credit card (I can’t imagine that the silica in the geothermal water would do it much good). The bad news is that this makes the payment process too easy – resulting in you unwittingly racking up enough high value purchases to prompt a call from your bank (yes, Iceland is expensive!). The one click-purchase is undoubtedly handy but at the same time unnervingly easy to ‘mistakenly’ abuse to your own financial detriment. This leads me to considering the expense. The Blue Lagoon is no longer an inexpensive and unique afternoon of relaxation. To get your money’s worth, you’ll probably want to spend at least 3 hours absorbing as much silica into your skin as possible. Never mind the silica has tightened your face so much that you’re having trouble opening your mouth to speak – you just paid exorbitant amounts of money, and it’s time to get your fill! So, make sure you choose your package carefully and include everything you want from the get-go. Buying add-ons when you get there will end up costing you more. The final thing to consider is that ticket prices change on the website as demand increases, so avoid doing what we did and buy your tickets online as early as possible so that you get them at base price. Result: There’s no getting away from it, the Blue Lagoon is expensive. I’m not normally a spa kind of guy and so I was reluctant to pay the sort of money they were asking for (I’d TAKE PHOTOS, LEAVE FOOTPRINTS > PAGE 17
Old Town Crier
TAKE PHOTOS, LEAVE FOOTPRINTS FROM PAGE 16
have rather spent it on an extra hour of snowmobiling across a glacier). However, lounging around in the warm waters ended up being the most relaxing way to end our trip, and I would never have begrudged my wife for who this was the highlight. In summary, the owners of Blue Lagoon have taken full advantage of its notoriety and who can blame them…it certainly hasn’t reduced demand!
The Temperature and Facilities As you can probably imagine, Iceland is cold in the winter, and on the day we visited, there was even an occasional sprinkling of snow. Recalling back twenty years to my first visit, I seem to remember walking (i.e. running/shivering) outside in order to reach the water. Just the thought of doing that in the frigid winter conditions of Reykjavik is enough to send frostbite down my spine. Needless to say, the good people of Blue Lagoon now have you covered. You can gracefully slip into the water from the warmth of the changing area, pop through the doors and glide, swanlike, into the lagoon. There’s also no doubt that the popularity of the lagoon has led to some fairly significant upgrades to the facilities on offer (and they have in fact been recently finishing up a new round of improvements). Back when I first visited, I don’t recall much more than the lagoon and a changing room. Now they have a gift store, restaurant, Old Town Crier
café and bar, walk up bar in the lagoon itself, silica and algae facemask station, massage waterfall, full spa and in-water massage service, steam rooms and saunas. It’s a veritable feast of options that will have you easily spending 3 hours in-situ. A few notes my wife urges me to include (which I couldn’t have cared less about): apparently, while wondrous for the skin, the silica and sulphur in the water seriously damages your hair (think coarse, cardboardlike strands and weeks of conditioning treatment ahead of you). The lagoon itself is very shallow, so there’s no real danger of getting your hair wet unless you wanted to (or did so by accident). However, as a precaution, use the conditioner in the shower room and simply leave in your hair when in the lagoon (or bring your own). A few women wore shower caps (which are available to buy there), but besides looking a little ridiculous, it’s also a bit over the top. Next, your silica mask is included in your basic ticket purchase – the algae mask is not. If you have even slightly dry skin, your skin will be begging for an algae mask once the silica comes off. If you want to pass on the expense of an algae mask, then toss a little moisturizer into your handbag for when you depart (your skin will thank you). Last but not least, remember to drink a lot of water when you’re in the pool. There are a few drinking fountains dotted about (and the water is actually really good). For the unacquainted, being in warm/ hot water will dehydrate you pretty quickly. Now, mix that with a plane
flight and a couple Proseccos and you have a potent cocktail that will knock you out – quite literally. It’s so easy to get carried away with how amazing the experience is (and who drinks just one Prosecco?), but people have been known to faint at the Blue Lagoon. So just be mindful, stay hydrated and take breaks if you start to overheat. Result: The lagoon may no longer be an authentic Icelandic bath experience (hence you don’t see many locals frequenting it), but what it now offers is more akin to a full spa service (at a price). To my mind the upgrade has been both significant and world class. Of course, if you want a more traditional (and cheaper) option then you could look at other nearby sites such as the Secret Lagoon.
Photography and Preening Patrons I was excited to see that photography was allowed in the lagoon. Of course, I guess this should have already been abundantly clear from the aforementioned prevalence of photos on Instagram. I imagined that I might find a few people wielding cameras as they waded through the waters. What I didn’t imagine were scenes akin to a Victoria’s Secret calendar shoot taking place everywhere I turned. There were people adopting yoga poses on the slippery rocks (and subsequently
slipping and injuring themselves in the process), people staring blankly in to the distance like catatonic zombies as their friends snapped away and, somewhat strangely, one woman wandering around in the water taking selfies whilst wearing a g-string, white woolen sweater and matching white woolen bobble hat. It was like she couldn’t quite decide whether she wanted a day at the beach or was heading out on an artic expedition. Result: Being able to photograph the lagoon is a bonus, but at points it felt more like the lagoon had just become an elaborate (and admittedly stunning) stage for people to engage in a classic bout of Instagram ‘oneup-manship’. Having to negotiate your way through people posing in full makeup and fake tans as you’re desperately trying to relax can be a little infuriating. I think I preferred the lagoon in its more authentic state, but I do appreciate the irony given that I posted my pictures to Instagram as well (although I can confirm that I’m not in them, and my wife banned me from wearing a g-string…kill-joy).
Overall I’m of the mindset that you should try everything once, and despite some of my minor grumblings above, the Blue Lagoon is a surreal and otherworldly experience that I would have been sad to miss. The above should give you enough basic information about the experience to make an informed decision on whether or not it’s for you (or whether you might prefer the more authentic surroundings of somewhere like the Secret Lagoon), and you can read more on takephotosleavefootrpints.com.
If you’re looking for more travel-related advice and inspiration, make sure to visit our website: www.takephotosleavefootprints.com June 2021 | 17
POINTS ON PETS
CHERYL BURNS
Saying “Yes” TWO STORIES IN HONOR OF ADOPT-A-CAT MONTH
I
t was 5 A.M. and my mother-in-law’s newly rescued cat, a still nameless 5 year-old, was crying. I can’t see much without my glasses, but I could make out little white paws sliding in and out underneath our closed door. That was the moment I knew: Not that day, but some day, I was getting a cat. The irony wasn’t lost on me, even at 5 A.M. My cardinal rule of dating had been “no men with pets.” I love animals. But the allergist had been very clear, and my body had often reiterated the wisdom of his stern warning against pets. I could never put someone in the position of having to choose between a loved person and a loved pet. I hit the jackpot when I fell in love with a man who was allergic too. We had fish and two (oddly amusing) aquatic frogs. But it was only a few months after our wedding that I knew. The cat outside the door would need a home one day, 18 | June 2021
and it would be ours. I tend to follow rules, but — despite the pile of allergy medicines that followed — I have never regretted breaking that one. June is Adopt-a-Cat Month, and I can think of no better way to tell you about the joys of a feline family member than to tell you two very different adoption stories about two very different cats. Smoky Tiggs Burns enjoyed a few months with my motherin-law before a long illness took Pat from us. Smoky spent every day of that last week visiting the hospice room with us, tucked quietly on a couch in the corner of the room and offering comfort whenever called upon. We had permission, but she was so well-behaved that the staff rarely realized she was there until they spotted the litter box. One even offered her a home. But my husband and his mother Smokey and Sweet Potato
POINTS ON PETS > PAGE 19
Old Town Crier
POINTS ON PETS | FROM PAGE 18
had a special bond. He was the son who arrived after four girls and a devastating miscarriage (late enough that she knew she’d lost a boy). So it didn’t surprise me when he whispered in my ear during one of those awkward days between her passing and the service: “I kinda want the cat.” I couldn’t refuse. After all, Smoky had chosen us the night we met and again throughout those rough days. The bond she shares with my husband is incredibly special. Fast forward a few years: While we certainly believed in their work, we couldn’t really tell you why we knew we were meant to volunteer at King Street Cats, but we’d been there for about a year when I met her. It was a brief meeting, but I knew. When I sent in a report on our mobile adoption shift, I added a note at the end: “If the people interested in Bailey don’t follow through, let us know.” After a few grueling weeks, we got a message. Yes, there were good tears. KSC is a free-roaming shelter. There are often around two dozen cats wandering about — some greeting visitors, some playing with friends, and shy ones tucked in sunny nooks. I saw several orange cats, but I couldn’t spot “ours.” Then I
felt a tap. There, on top of a shelf, sat our girl, bopping me on the head as if to say: “Silly Momma, I’m right here!” She followed us and sat on top of the paperwork. Sweet Potato Bailey Burns chose us as much as we chose her. Our cats bring us more joy than words can capture. They’re social, preferring to be near people even if they aren’t in the mood for a lap. Smoky is our prim-andproper princess. She’s lean. She has favorite spots where she sits tucked in a perfect loaf. Her purr is frequent but quiet. Her love is soft, pure, and restrained. SPBB is all emotion. She loves fiercely; her purr can be heard over the phone. She’s chubby despite zooming about, playing like a kitten. Then she plops, limbs splayed, in utterly random spots. They carry our heats in their perfect paws. Adopting them — and them adopting us in turn — made us a true family. According to the ASPCA, 3.2 million cats enter U.S. shelters every year. Sadly, 860,000 are euthanized. Thankfully, 1.6 million find homes but that leaves so many behind. King Street Cats (forgive me for the plug) is small but mighty. An all-volunteer, no-kill shelter in Alexandria, KSC took in 460 cats and kittens in 2020 and helped 440 find forever families.
Pets come with financial and emotional obligations (and sometimes with itchy eyes and a shelf full of allergy medications). But they give back so much more. During a difficult time, I’d collapse on the couch every evening. Despite not being a fan of hugs, SPBB would worm her way into my arms and purr, telling me that I always had her love. And I swear Smoky once danced on her hind legs to make me laugh! Science
backs up my experience. NBC’s Christina Heiser reports that cats boost our emotional and physical health, alleviate stress, and decrease the risk of dying from a heart attack or stroke. Just the sound of your cat purring can calm your nerves and lower your blood pressure. I think our family is complete, at least for now, so we’ll celebrate Adopt-a-Cat Month by giving “the girls” a few extra chin scratches and
thanking them for adopting us. Your next family member may be sitting in a shelter right now, wondering when you’ll find them. Saying “yes” may be one of the best choices you ever make.
Cheryl Burns is a Legal Editor. Smoky Tiggs and Sweet Potato Bailey Burns kindly allow Cheryl and her husband to live with them.
PETS
OF THE MONTH
BEETHOVEN AND MOZART Female, 15 Year Old, Red-Eared Sliders
4101 Eisenhower Avenue Alexandria, VA 703-746-4774 alexandriaanimals.org Mon-Fri, 1-8 pm Closed Wed Sat & Sun, 12-5 pm
Why “Slider?” Beethoven and her best gal pal Mozart would be happy to show you! Describing the way they slide off of rocks and into the water, Red-Eared Sliders are beautiful pool-dwelling pets, and two are now available for adoption at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. Mozart and Beethoven have lived together their entire lives and would like to continue doing so with their future family. They bask together, explore together and enjoy every minute of the day side by side. Are they the turtle best friends for you?
BONITA
10 and 12 Years Old, Female, Tan and White and Tricolor Hounds
Hello! My name is Bonita and I am an 11-year-old Tortie looking for a quiet home with a nice family or person. I am a little shy when meeting new people, but warm up quickly. I am a very calm cat who simply enjoys the company of people once I get to know them. I would make a great work from home buddy — I am very quiet and don’t ask for much, except for occasional pets and scratches. I would make a great companion for someone with a quiet lifestyle. So if you are looking for a calm cat who will always be by your side, give me a try. I will be waiting!
Hello there! My name is Chispin and I am an adorable ten year old hound mix who is searching for a new best friend. But I am not in this search alone — my best friend Cookie is with me every step of the way. You see we have been together a really long time and are pretty much inseparable. So if you adopt me, you also get my good buddy Cookie. But this is good news as we are both great dogs and anyone would be lucky to have us! We both have really sweet dispositions and would make excellent companions for just about anyone. And we don’t take up that much space as we always sleep on the same bed -- like I said, we’re inseparable! And we are really cute and walk well together on our leashes. And I am quite the beauty, sporting a mostly white coat with brown spots. And even though we are both considered seniors, we still have a lot of pep in our steps! So if you are interested in meeting this dynamic duo, make an appointment to see us today. You won’t be sorry!
Bonita’s photo courtesy of Alison Lane Photography
Adopt by appointment at the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. Virtual and in-person appointments are available at AlexandriaAnimals.org/Adopt-By-Appointment. Old Town Crier
CHISPIN AND COOKIE
11 Year Old, Female, Tortoiseshell Domestic Shorthair
Chispin & Cookie photos courtesy of DeSilva Studios, LLC
June 2021 | 19
CARIBBEAN CONNECTION ALEXANDER BRITELL AND GUY BRITTON
Kayaking the Mangrove Lagoon on St. Thomas
“YOU ALWAYS HAVE THAT FEELING OF JOY,” SYBILLE SORRENTINO SAYS, GAZING AT THE WALL OF GREEN JUST ACROSS THE WATER. “IT’S A THREE-BY-TWO-MILE SANCTUARY.”
W
e’re at Virgin Islands Eco Tours, set on the southeastern coast of the island of St Thomas, an operation that has been running kayak tours for 25 years. And from the moment you turn off Route 32, you feel it, too. Paddle a minute or two off the dock and you’ve entered the frontier; you’re no longer in St Thomas — or so it seems. This is the Mangrove Lagoon, and it’s one of the most spectacular settings in the Virgin Islands, a breathtaking natural gallery of mangroves and tiny cays 20 | June 2021
abutting the ocean’s edge. And what’s wonderful how accessible it is, equally enjoyable for the novice just off Highway 32 and the advanced kayaker. And the choices are vast: you can explore the mangroves on your own and then discover the underwater habitat snorkeling; you can take the full journey to nearby Cas Cay, where you’ll find volcanic cliffs — and even join a hermit crab race. “You have that sound of the ocean and the waves, you have tidal pools, you can reach in the water and pick up starfish and octopus,” Sorrentino says.
Bikinis on the Beach
CARRIBEAN CONNECTION PAGE 21
Old Town Crier
CARIBBEAN CONNECTION FROM PAGE 20
Or you can return at night and kayak under the full moon. No matter when you go or how you do it, it’s one of the truly great experiences in the USVI — an instant adventure in a rarefied place. Sorrentino says the mangroves have never looked better, a renaissance in green just a few years after Irma and Maria’s devastation.
“It’s growing back so nicely now,” she says. Of course, there’s an added bonus here, thanks to the recent debut of the St Thomas outpost of St John’s Bikinis on the Beach. The STT edition is already one of the island’s best waterfront dining settings, with an excellent menu by Chef Sam Maricchow, whose culinary experience includes stops at Coki Beach and the Ritz-Carlton, St Thomas. In other words, there are
quite a few ways to find joy here, just off Route 32. For more, visit VIEcoTours.com. The OTC is happy to partner with Alexander Britell, Founder and Editor-In-Chief of the Miami, Florida based Caribbean journal, and his staff. Check them out online at caribjournal. com for valuable information on all of the fabulous travel options and things of interest in the Caribbean.
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June 2021 | 21
FROM THE BAY
KARL BLANKENSHIP
THE VERDICT ON THE 2021 BLUE CRAB STOCK… IT’S MIXED!
T
he number of blue crabs in the Chesapeake Bay this winter plummeted to the fourth-lowest on record, driven largely by the worst-ever showing of juvenile crabs since an annual Baywide survey began in 1990. Though the juvenile drop is concerning, fishery managers say the number of adult females remains robust. They hope the females will produce a better crop of juveniles when they breed later this year. This year’s winter dredge survey, which provides an annual snapshot of the health of the blue crab stock, estimated that the Chesapeake had 282 million crabs, the lowest number since 2007. That figure includes just 81 million juveniles, the lowest in the survey’s history. But the number of young crabs naturally varies from year to year. Females release their larvae near the mouth of the Bay in the fall, which then float into the ocean. The number of juvenile crabs that survive and return to the Chesapeake is highly dependent on weather conditions, currents and other variables outside the Bay each winter. Because those conditions cannot be controlled, fishery managers in 2008 adapted a strategy aimed at ensuring enough adult females survive harvest 22 | June 2021
Photo: Dave Harp
The harvest of blue crabs from the Chesapeake Bay is regulated to limit the catch of female crabs. pressure each year to produce a robust crop of eggs. The hope is that the large number of eggs they produce will encounter favorable coastal conditions often enough to keep the overall population healthy. The survey found a healthy population of females: 158 million, the 10th best number since the survey began, and well above the 72.5 million threshold, the minimum number scientists believe is needed to protect the stock. “We’re comfortable with where we are currently with the abundance of females,” said Mike Luisi, director of the Maryland Department of Natural Resources fisheries monitoring and
assessment division. “What we want to do is to make sure there are enough females and enough males to provide for a juvenile year class,” he added. “And sometimes it’s good, sometimes it’s less than good. This year, it wasn’t good.” Because the number of female crabs remains high, fishery managers say they have no immediate plans to change crab harvest rules, though they will monitor information about the crab stock during the course of the summer. “Given the survey results, we will not be expanding the crab fishery this year,” said Steven Bowman, head of the Virginia Marine Resources
Commission. While management has focused on protecting the abundance of female crabs, another figure from this year’s survey could raise concern: It found just 39 million adult male crabs, well below the long-term average of 77 million. “The reduced abundance of juveniles and males could make crabs scarce later this summer into the fall for those who enjoy eating crabs, and indicates we should remain cautious in our approach to managing this valuable fishery,” said Chris Moore, senior regional ecosystem scientist with the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. The Chesapeake Bay Stock Assessment Committee, made up of fishery scientists and managers and administered by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Chesapeake Bay Office, will review the dredge survey data and issue a report later this summer. The winter dredge survey, conducted each year by the DNR and Virginia Institute of Marine Science, samples blue crabs at 1,500 sites throughout the Bay. Karl Blankenship is editor-at-large of the Bay Journal. You can reach him at kblankenship@bayjournal.com. Old Town Crier
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ROAD TRIP
N
ow that the pandemic is winding down, folks are beginning to get out of the house, roll the windows down and hit the road. We have been writing road trip articles for 34 years and after this last year’s confinement, it is time to revisit some of our favorite destinations. This month we returned to Maryland’s history capital, St. Mary’s County. St. Mary’s County is the southernmost county in Maryland. The county is actually a peninsula bordered on the northeast by the Patuxent River, the east by the Chesapeake Bay, the southwest by the Potomac River and the west by the Wicomico River. As you might guess, the county is noted for its’ water attractions whether it be boating, crabbing, fishing or just spending a lazy day hanging by the water. St. Mary’s County was named after the Virgin Mary. The first landing of English settlers was March 25, 1634 at St. Clements Island. The island was too small to support the growing town so they settled on land nearby and established St. Mary’s City the first Maryland Colony and the first capitol of the Colony of Maryland. St. Mary’s College is also located near the historic St. Mary’s City. Traveling the back roads of St. Mary’s is a real treat. It is truly a trip back in time. There are thriving Amish and Mennonite communities and chances are good that you will encounter a horse and buggy sharing the road as they commute about the county. Loveville is a town known for its Old Order Mennonite community, who have farmer’s market/produce 24 | June 2021
BOB TAGERT
RE-DISCOVERING
St. Mary’s County, MD
auctions as well as craft shops and an annual quilt auction. Tobacco, once a major crop in Maryland, is no longer grown but you will see vacant tobacco barns that dot the fields, a reminder of tobacco’s hay day and its history. The county seat is the Town of Leonardtown, which is also the largest city. Beginning a few years before the pandemic, Leonardtown, a laid back southern town, began a revival of sorts. A few years ago, REX opened and the night life in Leonardtown was kicked up a notch. The Front Porch restaurant was serving the locals. The Social Coffeehouse and Cocktail Bar opened to entertain the younger crowd and recently Sweetbay Restaurant opened bringing a D.C. vibe to Leonardtown. Most of these businesses are built around a town square, another throwback to an earlier time. Although the square has been quiet the last year, we may soon see events and concerts return. Leonardtown dedicated a lot of time and money some years back to develop the Leonardtown Wharf which sets up against Breton Bay at the end of the main street in town. There is plenty of parking and
kayak and canoe rentals are available. It is a great place for a picnic and there is a small concession stand as well as very clean bathrooms. The Old Jail Museum is a jailhouse built in 1876 and in use until 1945 by the oldest sheriff ’s office in the nation. The granite block and brick structure retains its original upstairs cells where prisoners were once segregated by gender and race. The jail keeper’s quarters downstairs house related artifacts. The location also serves as the official Leonardtown Visitor Center. Behind the Leonardtown firehouse is Shepards Old Field Market, a marketplace community catalyst that aims to promote mixed use development, community interaction, grassroots local commerce, and historic place attachment in Leonardtown. There are nearly 70 shops and services in a 9,000 sq. ft., 2-story mini-mall. If you are looking for a cold beverage, there is the Brudergarten Beer Garden and brewery. A short drive from Leonardtown is Historic St. Mary’s City, the site of Maryland’s first capital. At the water’s edge take in a pristine
view that Lord Baltimore would have recognized. Step onboard the Maryland Dove, a reproduction tall ship that brought the settlers to the New World. In the town center tour a mercantile stocked with (reproduction) items every colonist coveted and visit the forbearer of the modern motel. Help run a printing press and learn why the first printer south of Boston worked here. Visit the Woodland Indian Hamlet, discover the Godiah Spray Tobacco Plantation, and many more adventures. St. Mary’s County is renowned for their working museums. One is a few miles from Leonardtown on the Potomac River. Piney Point Lighthouse was built in 1836 located at Piney Point just up the river from the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. The Coast Guard decommissioned the lighthouse in 1964 and it has since become a museum. It is known as the Lighthouse of Presidents because several early US Presidents visited or stayed on the grounds. The lighthouse was built in 1836 and had a range of 10 nautical miles. The lamp was replaced in 1855 with a Fresnel lens upgrading the range to 11 nautical miles. The
federal government deeded the property to St. Mary’s County in 1980 and in 1990 the Museum Division of St. Mary’s County Department of Recreation and Parks began to renovate the grounds. The exhibits at the museum focus on the lighthouse, the United States Coast Guard, the Piney Point area and the story of the Black Panther U-1105 German submarine sunk in the Potomac that now serves as a shipwreck dive preserve. The Potomac River Maritime Exhibit displays four historic wooden vessels in a separate building. Visitors can climb the lighthouse tower when the museum is open for operation. At Coltons Point, Maryland is another historical property. Here are located the St. Clement’s Island Museum, a lighthouse and a Catholic devotional monument to the miraculous medal. Boat service at times carries visitors the short distance to the shrinking, uninhabited St. Clements Island, the first landing of settlers. It is on these grounds where the annual Potomac Jazz and Seafood Festival will be held. The event is three days beginning July 9th in Leonardtown. Look for the ad in this issue for the exact times and dates. There is so much more to St. Mary’s County than I have covered here...Point Lookout Park where the Potomac meets the Bay, Sotterley Plantation and Stoney’s at Clarke’s Landing on the Patuxent River in Hollywood, Maryland. If you are looking for a southern Maryland experience and great seafood, Stoney’s is it. Tell them the Old Town Crier sent you! Old Town Crier
Old Town Crier
June 2021 | 25
TO THE BLUE RIDGE
Photo: Anne Gittens Photography
UCHS Jumper
168TH UPPERVILLE COLT & HORSE SHOW
Photo: Teresa Ramsay Photography
UCHS Hunters
168th Upperville Colt & Horse Show
T
his U.S. Equestrian Premier Hunter, Jumper & Heritage competition will take place in the shade of the majestic oaks near the village of Upperville, Virginia. The 168th anniversary of the oldest horse show in America will begin on Monday, June 7th and run through Sunday, June 13th. During this week, the nation’s top ranked hunters and jumpers will compete alongside the local ponies, sidesaddle ladies and racing Jack Russell Terriers. Event information sourced from the UCHS and MMG Management.
Fast Facts: Upperville Is… • The Oldest Horse Show in the United States – Since 1853 • Horse Show of the Year” – as named by the National Show Hunter Hall of Fame and the Virginia Horse Show Association • A Designated World Championship Hunter Rider show • A week-long USEF Premier Rated show • A U.S. Equestrian Heritage Competition • A mecca for horsemen – a few notable exhibitors include: General George Patton, Paul Mellon, Kathy Kusner, Rodney Jenkins, Katie Prudent, Joe Fargis, and members of the 2018 FEI World Equestrian Games (WEG) gold medal team representing the United States, including McLain Ward, Laura Kraut, Adrienne Sternlicht and Devin Ryan.
June 7th-13th
Grafton and salem showgrounds Upperville, Va General admission spectators will be welcome at UCHS 2021! Commonwealth of virginia and US equestrian covid-19 guidelines will be in place and updates are posted at upperville.com as infomation is clarified.
Admission and parking are free! CONTACT INFORMATION: 8300 John s. Mosby highway Upperville, va 540-687-5740 Info@upperville.com Upperville.com
29 Main On the River – Sperryville
• A quaint cottage on the Thornton River in the Heart of the Village of Sperryville. • Spacious one bedroom/one bath suite • Kitchenette • Private deck overlooking the River • Outdoor shower • Popular for Hikers and Foodies, looking for a great getaway. • VRBO#1001234 • AirBnB #18582009
• • • • • •
The Loft – Little Washington
Large put cozy, suite above Little Washington Spa 1 Bedroom/1 Bath Living room with pull out sofa Kitchenette Great Location in the center of town VRBO#735456 • AirBnB #7131304 More Info Contact- Samantha.rpkgetaways@gmail.com
26 | June 2021
Old Town Crier
Visit THE BLUE RIDGE YOUR
ADVENTURE BEGINS HERE
Quality Sport & Trail Horses For Sale Open Year-Round Lessons • Training •Trail Rides • Special Events www.therockingsranch.com • 540.678.8501
Explore our many activities! Blue Ridge Whisky Wine Loop Shenandoah National Park Luray Caverns Shenandoah River Onsite Dining Events
The Mimslyn Inn Rooms, Suites, Cottages and Homes 401 West Main Street, Luray Virginia 540-743-5105 • www.mimslyninn.com
Visit the Blue Ridge Whisky Wine Loop and show a receipt from any 3 members dated the same week to receive 50% off a Mimslyn room. Sunday-Thursday ONLY. One night, non-holiday thru September 2021. www.discovershenandoah.com. Corkage fee applies to bottles from the loop and enjoyed on our front porch!
28 | June 2021
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URBAN GARDEN
BACKYARD GARDENER
This Month In the Garden BackyardGardener.com is proud to be affiliated with the Old Town Crier and look forward to providing you readers with valuable gardening information. Since 1996, Backyard Gardener has been providing gardening tips, season-by-season, and how-to-grow information for almost every type of gardening you can imagine. Whether you are interested in flowers, plants, trees, organic gardening, vegetable gardening, garden fountains, rocks... we have it all, and more. We have everything you need to learn, explore, and improve your gardening. We also provide every product imaginable to assist you in creating your beautiful home garden surroundings.
June Garden Tips: ✿ Replace mulch and aerate soil in permanent potted gardens. ✿ Remove spent flowers from spring annuals to stretch the blooming season. ✿ Plant fall-blooming perennials now. ✿ Prune once-blooming roses after they’ve flowered this month. ✿ Trim back vines (spring-blooming clematis and wisteria) after they bloom. ✿ Begin feeding vegetable plants as they start to flower. ✿ Continue to spray peach and apple trees to control fungal diseases. ✿ Plant balled-and-burlapped and container shrubs and trees. ✿ Lightly prune tips of blackberries and pinch flowers off young grapevines to form and train growth of new canes. ✿ Set out seedlings of warm-weather vegetables and annuals. ✿ Sow seeds of heat-loving vegetables (squash, pumpkins, melons) directly into the ground. ✿ Continue to fertilize roses and treat with fungicide as needed. ✿ Pinch off flower buds to promote leafier basil plants. ✿ Fertilize vegetable plants as they begin to bloom. ✿ Take cuttings from your favorite shrubs when the branch wood hardens slightly. ✿ Set out seedlings of late-summer flowering annuals. ✿ Add a layer of mulch (2-3 inches) around newly planted trees and shrubs. ✿ Cut back and thin out diseased or spindly branches of spring-flowering shrubs. ✿ Fill flower garden gaps with larger sizes of summer-blooming annuals. Log on to backyardgardener.com and tell them the Old Town Crier sent you.
Old Town Crier
June 2021 | 29
DINING OUT THE GASTRONOMES
RIVER BEND BISTRO & WINE BAR 7966 FORT HUNT ROAD 703-347-7545 RIVERBENDBISTRO.COM INFO@RIVERBENDBISTRO.COM
T
River Bend Bistro
& Wine Bar HIDING OUT IN HOLLIN HALL
30 | June 2021
his hidden gem located on Fort Hunt Road in the Hollin Hall Shopping Center is definitely a place you should put on your “to dine” list…if you haven’t already done so. Chef Caroline Bruder Ross and her husband Bill opened River Bend Bistro & Wine Bar in the fall of 2013 after jumping through the many hoops that Fairfax County required and it was well worth the effort. While many restaurants located in strip malls get overlooked, River Bend isn’t one. Now almost 8 years later and surviving the pandemic, River Bend is a very popular neighborhood eatery. Billing themselves as an “American Bistro with Mediterranean influences”, River Bend has created a very nice niche in our local restaurant community. In our humble opinions, the menu is “just right”. It offers a variety of dishes that range from comfort food the likes of the Cotsold mac & cheese with crispy fried onions to
the healthy poached salmon over a warm lentil salad. Unlike many eateries with extensive/overpowering menus, Caroline and Bill have opted to keep things simple by offering a nice range of snacks, starters, entrées and sides that fit on one page. Both the lunch and dinner menus have very attractive price points. Lunch $8-$15. Dinner $8-$28. Everything served in this Bistro is fresh and the bulk of it is locally sourced taking advantage of the seasons and the local farmers markets. You won’t find anything that comes out of a can or that is frozen – with the exception of the sorbet and ice cream – in this establishment. We have been dining here regularly since the day they opened and have yet to get bored with the selections. The menus change slightly with the seasons but most of the favorites remain available - ie. the cheese
DINING OUT > PAGE 31
Old Town Crier
DISCOVER THE BEST OF TIMES!
DINING OUT FROM PAGE 30
burger. One of our new favorites on the spring menu is the Benedictine spread. For those of you unfamiliar with Benedictine, it is a classic appetizer/spread/dip of cucumber and cream cheese served with toast points. This dish was introduced at the Kentucky Derby in the early 20th century. If you are an oyster fan, River Bends source provides delicious versions. The soup here is also a good choice. Potato and Leek is a constant with a “soup of the day” that varies from refreshing to hearty on any given day. Two of our very favorite dishes feature Caroline’s signature tagliatelle
Poached Salmon
pasta. It stands alone on the lunch menu but is paired with a perfectly roasted chicken breast with wild mushrooms in a sherry cream sauce on the dinner menu. It is hard to describe how good this is – you just have to experience it for yourself. While the chocolate cherry chess pie is an award winner, our favorite dessert is the fruit cobbler of the season served with a scoop of ice cream. In season now is the strawberry rhubarb version with fresh peach coming this summer and back to the apples in the fall. River Bend has a full bar, a good beer selection and an extensive international wine list. Caroline is very knowledgeable when it comes
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907 KING STREET OLD TOWN ALEXANDRIA 703.684.3288 MACKIESBARANDGRILL.COM
Tagliatelle
to wine and her experience in the business transcends on to the list. This truly is a wine lovers place. There is a vintage for all palates and all at a very reasonable price point. Brunch is served on Sundays from 11:30 am-4pm and features classic eggs any style with your choice of meat and home fries as well as eggs benedict, pancakes and George Washington’s Grist Mill grits in addition to most of the offerings that appear on the lunch menu. River Bend is open 7 days a week for both lunch and dinner. Treat yourself to the short drive down the Parkway and a nice meal. See what they have going on for Father’s Day in their ad in this issue.
NOW OPEN FOR LUNCH Tuesday-Friday CALL US FOR COMPLIMENTARY LOCAL DELIVERY with no fees or contract!
Call 703-548-1785 to place order. Visit our website for menus www.unionstreetpublichouse.com 121 SOUTH UNION STREET, OLD TOWN ALEXANDRIA 703.548.1785 • UNIONSTREETPUBLICHOUSE.COM
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Oysters
Check us out online!
Benedictine
June 2021 | 31
LET’S EAT
JUDY EICHNER
…and the Livin’ Is Easy!
T
he music and lyrics George Gershwin wrote for his operetta Summertime are prophetic. The first line reads: “Summertime and the living is easy.” As the weather gets warmer and I spend more time eating outside, I find that most barbecued meat starts to taste the same. So I try “living easy” by serving the two recipes which are different, delicious and very easy. I hope you enjoy these two dishes, they are both a good way to start off the summer!
BEA ROMAN’S SHRIMP AND MACARONI SALAD Ingredients: • 1 pound elbow macaroni, cooked according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water and set aside. • 1 ½ pounds medium size shelled and de-veined shrimp, cooked for about 3 minutes, drained and rinsed in cold water and set aside. • 6 hard boiled eggs, cooled and thinly sliced in rounds. • 1 or 2 cucumbers, seeds removed and thinly sliced in rounds. • 1 small onion very finely diced. • 2 medium, garden fresh tomatoes cut in pieces, or a package of grape tomatoes cut in halves. • ¾ cup of mayonnaise • ¼ to 1/3 cup of apple cider vinegar • salt, pepper, and garlic powder
Put the diced onion in the bottom of a large ceramic bowl. Sprinkle lightly with kosher or sea salt. Add the tomatoes and toss with onion. Then add the cucumber and sprinkle lightly with garlic powder and a small amount of pepper. Add the sliced egg and toss again. Add the cooked macaroni and shrimp and toss thoroughly. In a small, deep bowl combine the mayonnaise and the apple cider vinegar. Beat on low with a hand mixer. Be sure any lumps are incorporated and the mixture is very smooth. Pour over the macaroni, shrimp, etc. and mix well. Taste and adjust the seasoning. Serve cold with crusty bread. If you omit the shrimp you can use the macaroni salad as a side dish.
JIM’S ROASTED VEGETABLES In a large flat pan, put washed and trimmed asparagus, zucchini, small tomatoes, string beans and any other vegetable you may like. Be sure the vegetables are in a single layer. Lightly salt. Pour some extra virgin olive oil over the veggies and with your hands rub the veggies back and forth so that each piece has some oil on both sides. You can either roast them in the oven at 375 degrees until al dente, (about 15 minutes) or you can put the veggies on the barbecue (without the pan) and turn until the vegetables are browned and fork tender.
32 | June 2021
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June 2021 | 33
DINING GUIDE AMERICAN
ADA'S ON THE RIVER 3 Pioneer Mill Way 703-638-1400 AUGIE’S MUSSEL HOUSE 1106 King Street 703.721.3970 BLACKWALL HITCH 5 Cameron St. 703-739-6090 CAFE 44 44 Canal Center 571-800-6644 CHADWICKS 203 Strand St. 703-836-4442 CHART HOUSE One Cameron St. 703-684-5080 CITY KITCHEN 330 South Pickett St. 703-685-9172 fatcitykitchen.com COLUMBIA FIREHOUSE 109 S. St. Asaph St. 703-683-1776 EVENING STAR CAFÉ 2000 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-549-5051 EXECUTIVE DINER & CAFE 1400 Duke Street 703-299-0894 FIVE GUYS 725 King St. 703-549-7991 FOSTERS GRILLE 2004 Eisenhower Ave. 703-725-1342 GADSBYS TAVERN 138 N. Royal St. 703-548-1288 GRATEFUL KITCHEN 727 N. Henry Street HARD TIMES CAFE 1404 King St. 703-837-0050 HEN QUARTER 1404 King St. 703-684-6969 HOPS 'N SHINE 3410 Mount Vernon Ave. 703-566-1509 HUMMINGBIRD 220 South Union Street 703-566-1355 JACKS PLACE 222 North Lee St. 703-684-0372 JOE THEISMANNS 1800 Diagonal Rd. 703-739-0777 JUNCTION BAKERY & BISTRO 1508 Mount Vernon Avenue Alexandria 703-436-0025 LAPORTAS 1600 Duke St. 703-683-6313 THE LIGHT HORSE 715 King Street 703-549-0533
34 | June 2021
LORI'S TABLE 1028 King Street 703-549-5545 LOST DOG CAFE 808 North Henry St. 571-970-6511
MACKIE’S BAR AND GRILL 907 King St. 703-684-3288 mackiesbarandgrill.com MAGNOLIA’S ON KING 703 King St. 703-838-9090 MAJESTIC CAFÉ 911 King St. 703-837-9117 MASON SOCIAL 728 Henry Street 703-548-8800 mason-social.com MURPHYS IRISH PUB 713 King St. 703-548-1717 murphyspub.com NORTHSIDE 1O 10 East Glebe Rd. 703-888-0032 OAK STEAKHOUSE 901 N. St. Asaph St. 703-840-3395 OCONNELLS RESTAURANT & BAR 112 King St. 703-739-1124 PORK BARREL BBQ 2312 Mount Vernon Ave. 703-822-5699 THE PEOPLES DRUG 103 N. Alfred Street 571-257-8851 RAMPARTS 1700 Fern St. 703-998-6616 rampartstavern.com RIVER BEND BISTRO 7966 Fort Hunt Rd. Hollin Hall Shopping Center 703-347-7545 riverbendbistro.com ROCK IT GRILL 1319 King St. 703-739-2274 RT's RESTAURANT 3804 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-684-6010 rtsrestaurant.com SHOOTER MCGEES 5239 Duke St. 703-751-9266 SLATERS MARKET 1552 Potomac Greens Dr. 703-548-3807 SMOKING KOW BBQ 3250 Duke Sttreet 703-888-2649 SONOMA CELLAR 207 King St. 703-966-3550 SOUTH BLOCK 106 N. Lee Street 703-465-8423 SOUTHSIDE 815 815 S. Washington St. 703-836-6222 SWEETGREEN 823 King St. 571-319-0192
Please Contact your favorite restaurants for updates on their "Social Distancing" policies. SWEET FIRE DONNA'S BBQ & HOPS 510 John Carlyle Street 571-312-7960 T.J. STONES GRILL HOUSE & TAP ROOM 608 Montgomery St. 703-548-1004 tjstones.com TOASTIQUE GOURMET TOAST & JUICE BAR 1605 King Street 571-312-1909 UNION STREET PUBLIC HOUSE 121 South Union St. 703-548-1785 unionstreetpublichouse.com VERMILLION 1120 King St. 703-684-9669 VIRTUE GRAIN & FEED 106 South Union St. 571-970-3669 VOLA’S DOCKSIDE GRILL & THE HI-TIDE LOUNGE 101 North Union St. 703-935-8890 THE WAREHOUSE BAR & GRILL 214 King St. 703-683-6868 warehouseoldtown.com ASIAN
ASIAN BISTRO 809 King St. 703-836-1515 KINGS RANSOM 728 King Street 571-319-0794 KISSO ASIAN BISTRO 300 King Street 703-888-1513 MALAYA 1019 King St. 703-519-3710 MAI THAI 9 King St. 703-548-0600 NASIME 1209 King St. 703-548-1848 SIGNATURE THAI 722 King Street 707-888-2458 STREETS MARKET AND CAFE 3108 Mt. Vernon Ave. 571-431-6810 THAILAND ROYAL 801 N. Fairfax St. 703 535-6622 TOKYO JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE 66 Canal Center Plaza 703-683-8878 CAPHE BANH MI VIETNAMESE 407 Cameron St. 703-549-0800 KAI ZEN TAVERN 1901 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-836-1212 SISTERS THAI 503 Montgomery St. 571-777-8154 THE SUSHI BAR 2312 Mount Vernon Avenue 571-257-3232
CONTINENTAL
BRABO by Robert Weidmaier 1600 King St. 703-894-3440 CEDAR KNOLL GW Parkway at Lucia Ln. 703-780-3665 OLD HOUSE COSMOPOLITAN 1024 Cameron Street 703-717-9361 TEMPO 4231 Duke St. 703-370-7900 temporestaurant.com VILLAGE BRAUHAUS 710 King Street 703-888-1951 villagebrauhaus.com FRENCH
BASTILLE 606 N. Fayette St. 703-519-3776 bastillerestaurant.com BISTRO SANCERRE FRENCH 1755 Duke Street LE REFUGE 127 N. Washington St. 703-548-4661 FONTAINES CAFFE & CREPERIE 119 S. Royal St. 703-535-8151 LA MADELEINE 500 King St. 703-729-2854 TWO NINETEEN RESTAURANT 219 King St. 703-549-1141 ITALIAN
BUGSYS PIZZA RESTAURANT 111 King St. 703-683-0313 FACCIA LUNA 823 S. Washington St. 703-838-5998 HANK & MITZI'S PIZZA AND PASTA 600 Montgomery Ave. 571-312-4117 IL PORTO RESTAURANT 121 King St. 703-836-8833 LANDINI BROTHERS 115 King St. 703-836-8404 landinibrothers.com LENA’S WOOD-FIRED PIZZA & TAP 401 East Braddock Rd. 703-960-1086 MIA'S ITALIAN KITCHEN 100 King Street 703-997-5300 MICHAEL’S LITTLE ITALY 305 S. Washington St. 703-548-9338 PIECE OUT 2419 Mount Vernon Avenue 703-398-1287 RED ROCKS FIREBRICK PIZZA 904 King St. 703-717-9873
MEDITERRANEAN
BARCA PIER & WINE BAR 2 Pioneer Mill Way 703-638-1100 TAVERNA CRETEKOU 818 King St. 703-548-8688 tavernacretekou.com PITA HOUSE 719 King St. 703-684-9194 DELIAS MEDITERRANEAN GRILL 209 Swamp Fox Rd. 703-329-0006 VASO'S MEDITERRANEAN BISTRO 1118 King Street 703-566-2720 VASO'S KITCHEN 1225 Powhatan Street 703-548-2747 SEAFOOD
HANKS OYSTER BAR 1026 King St. 703-739-HANK FISH MARKET-OLD TOWN 105 King St. 703-836-5676 fishmarketoldva.com ERNIES ORGINIAL CRABHOUSE 1743 King St. 703-836-0046 THE WHARF 119 King St. 703-836-2834 WHISKEY & OYSTER 301 John Carlyle 703-567-1533 INDIAN
DISHES OF INDIA 1510A Bellview Blvd. 703-660-6085 DIYA 218 North Lee, 2nd Floor 703-706-5338 NAMASTE 1504 King St. 703-970-0615 MEXICAN LATIN SOUTHWESTERN
CASA TEQUILA (next to Crate & Barrel) 1701 Duke 703-518-5312 CHOP SHOP TACO 1008 Madison Street 571-970-6438 DON TACO TEQUILA BAR 808 King St. 703-988-3144 LOS CUATES RESTAURANT 1116 King Street 703-548-2918 LOS TIOS GRILL 2615 Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-299-9290 LOS TOLTECOS 4111 Duke St. 703-823-1167 TAQUERIA POBLANO 2400-B Mt. Vernon Ave. 703-548-TACO (8226) TEQUILA & TACO 540 John Carlyle Street 703-721-3203 URBANO 116 116 King Street 571-970-5148 Old Town Crier
GRAPEVINE
MATT FITZSIMMONS
Offbeat Adventures in Virginia Wine Country 2020
was filled with cancelled day trips in the name of social distancing, but now the world is transitioning to a healthier place. It’s time for wine lovers to dust off those plans and get back to traveling. Virginia wine country is the perfect place to escape – and not just for wine. Many wineries host recreational activities which range from truly adventurous to laidback and relaxing. Other are located in scenic or historical areas, making it easy to spice your trip with something extra.
PAIRING WINE WITH HIKING & KAYAKING DuCard and Chatham If you want to burn some calories before sipping wine, DuCard Vineyards near Shenandoah Park and Chatham Vineyards and Winery along the Chesapeake Bay have you covered. DuCard is only 15 minutes away from the trailheads of both Old Rag Mountain and White Oak Canyon. Old Rag is likely the most popular hike in Virginia – and one of the Old Town Crier
toughest. The 9 mile loop starts off easy, but soon takes you through a series of steep switchbacks through the forest. But the real challenge starts near the 3 mile mark where you start a series of rock scrambles right before the summit. If waterfalls are more your thing, then visit White Above: DuCard Vineyards Oak Canyon. Right: Chatham Vineyards Paddle Your Glass Off This 8.2 mile hike doesn’t have the 360° summit view Old Rag offers, but rewards you with a series of waterfalls and a watering hole with a For something on the water, natural slide. visit Chatham Vineyards After you’re done, DuCard American on the Eastern Shore and awaits. This place takes the Viticultural Area participate in a “Paddle your word ‘authenticity’ seriously. (AVA). The vineyard’s glass off ” kayaking trip. This It’s not just the estate-grown location on a well-drained wine; the staff is very friendly, 45 minute excursion takes sandy peninsula between you along the banks of nearby the Atlantic and Chesapeake and often owner Scott Elliff Church Creek, followed by a will greet you himself. allows for moderate visit to the winery. Finding a favorite wine will temperatures and a long Chatham is famous for be tough. Make sure to try out ripening season, perfect for their distinctive terroir-driven producing grapes that balance their Petit Verdot, but their bottle of “Decade One White” wines and is the only winery acid with bright, fresh flavors. is a steal. The result is a terroir located in the Eastern Shore
friendly to Europeanstyle grapes. While the soft reds are wonderful, Chatham is famous for its seafood-friendly white wines, especially their minerality, steel-fermented Chardonnay. GRAPEVINE > PAGE 36
June 2021 | 35
Above: White Oak Lavendar Farm Left: Hamptom Roads Vineyard
WINE AND FAMILY FUN Hampton Roads and White Oak Lavender Farm For those who want a more laid-back experience, visit Hampton Roads Vineyard or White Oak Lavender Farm &
Purple WOLF Vineyard. Owner David Sheldon of Hampton Roads Vineyard had one of the best marketing ideas in the Virginia wine industry. After a long search, David and his wife Dianne found their future home in a
rural area halfway between Richmond and Norfolk. The property had a lot of history, but was missing one important ingredient: a goat tower. Say again? A WHAT? That’s right – David got the idea from the book “The Greatest Wineries in the World,” which included a picture of a goat tower at a South African winery. That planted an idea how he could
distinguish Hampton Roads from all other wineries in the state. The 34-foot goat tower is his own design, and is the largest such structure in the world. Visitors can’t go inside the structure, but they can watch the goats run up and down the steps. Watching the goats play while drinking Merlot is far easier than chasing goats anyway. If you’re looking for wine
with a unique twist, White Oak Lavender Farm in the Shenandoah Valley is for you. It’s also a two-for-one deal, since you can pick your own lavender (when in season) as well as sample their vino, some of which is flavored with lavender. The farm goes allout in incorporating lavender themes into everything. You can sample lavender-flavored ice cream, try some lavender oils, drink lavenderinfused wine, or just lounge around their lavender-colored tasting room. Visits here are as much about relaxation as it is about wine. Their discovery area has interactive gardens and tours to meet the farm animals are also available. Photographers can arrange for a special visit to get an Instagram shot with a bright lavender background.
WINE AND SPECTATOR EVENTS Tarara and King Family Vineyard If you’d rather sit back and enjoy the show, Tarara Winery and King Family Vineyards are the places to be. Tarara winery is bringing back their concert series in July. Their schedule is full of tribute bands and local favorites, with tunes ranging from 80’s music, blues, and classic rock from bands including The Reflex, Gonzo’s Nose, and The Darby Brothers. Many wineries have music, but this is the only one that has its own full-blown music venue. While the winery is transitioning away from operating a tasting room, Tarara will still sell its wine at the concert series and may serve beer periodically (bringing your own food is allowed, outside alcoholic beverages are not). Break out the lawn chairs and their Long Bomb red blend, and sit 36 | June 2021
Above: King Family Vineyard Right: Tarara Winery back and enjoy the show. Last but not least are the polo fields at King Family Vineyard. Matches are held each Sunday at noon, starting Memorial Day weekend and going through mid-October. It was David King’s love of polo which led to the founding of the winery. When David and his wife Ellen moved to Virginia in 1995, David gave his realtor strict
guidelines that their future home needed enough flat land to pursue his hobby. Little did the Kings know their farm was also suited for viticulture. They turned down the first suitor who randomly appeared at their doorstep asking to plant vines, but the idea stuck. King Family opened the tasting room in 2002 and hired winemaker Matthieu Finot in 2007. Since
then, Matthieu’s wines have been part of the Virginia’s Governor’s Case designating the state’s top 12 scoring wines eight times since 2012. With their manicured polo grounds set against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains, the location is STUNNING. Drinking their Crosé Rosé while watching a match is a great way of
spending any Sunday afternoon. Any other offbeat ideas for visits in Virginia wine country? Email me and let me know! Author Matthew Fitzsimmons is a wine blogger who has visited almost every one of Virginia’s nearly 300 wineries. Track his progress on https:// winetrailsandwanderlust.com/ Old Town Crier
EXPLORING VA WINES
DOUG FABBIOLI
Father’s Day 2021
O
The author with his son Sam.
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ver the years, I have developed something of an eye for the father/son relationship. I am fortunate to have had a good man as a father. Not perfect... but he certainly tried time and again to do the right thing. I’m sure he gained that from his own father. I have those moments where I feel my father’s teachings coming out in my words, actions, or attitudes. And I have tried to be a good father to my sons; not perfect either, I know, but I hope they will retain some of what I have tried to teach over the years. In a small family business, the father/son relationship is quite prevalent and clear. As I work with clients, suppliers and fellow business owners, I get to see the dynamics of that generational dance again and again. One of my suppliers is a fourth generation apple farmer and packer. Four generations is quite impressive if you think about it: we give our kids so many options to choose from for careers, but to have your children follow in your footsteps shows a real commitment on their part. Each of us gets to choose, at some point, if we want to do as we are taught or try a different path. Many of our farms do not survive the generational succession because the kids see firsthand just how challenging it is to make a farm pay for itself. As my friend and his brother work their part of the apple business, they have enough autonomy from their dad to make their piece succeed, but it could fail without hurting the main flow of the operation. Maybe that is a key to success and succession: autonomy and room to work. Many times, it’s the grandkids who take over the reins,
skipping a generation. That certainly takes away some of the parenting baggage that can clog up a family business. I also recognize that much of being a father is being a mentor. Having been involved with our local Boy Scout troop for two decades now, it’s easier to me to mentor other people’s kids some days than my own, and sometimes kids hear better when the lesson comes from someone who isn’t their actual father. A “father figure” can teach you about relationships, commitments, priorities, decision making, and so many other life skills, and having mentors and father figures can be so important in a young person’s life. Although winemaking is taught in universities by professors and scholars, it is truly learned and practiced on the cellar floors. Cleaning tanks, dragging hoses, washing barrels, setting up equipment, and breaking it all down again in order to set up the next job is where the real lessons happen. I have been very fortunate to have learned from great mentors and father figures along the way. I have been even more fortunate to be in that mentor role with so many younger folks over my 40 years in the industry. I have been privileged to make wine with my sons of blood as well as with so many great sons and daughters of the vine, young folks interested in working and learning. I’m so glad I had a good man for a dad who taught me a few things. We don’t all inherit a career from our fathers, but the working and teaching skills we learn from them pass on very well! So this month let’s raise a glass of great Virginia wine to our fathers and our father figures, to our mentors and our teachers. Happy Father’s Day! June 2021 | 37
NICOLE FLANAGAN
FITNESS
Get Fit For Summer
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hether you are an exercise pro or a beginner to the gym chances are you have a few questions about your workout. With summer just around the corner everyone is stepping up the workout to get ultimate results. Here are a few tips to keep that workout moving in the right direction.
it is just a little is all you need to keep up the motivation. For the best results, don’t overwhelm yourself. You should aim for 30 minutes of cardio every day and strength training twice a week for the first month or two. Once this workout has become a part of your regular routine you are ready to increase your intensity.
DO
Set new goals
Work out every day You don’t need to be at the gym seven days in a row, but try for at least five days. To get a good habit started you must be consistent. Doing something every day even if
It’s easy for gym regulars to hit a slump and stop seeing the benefits or having the fun that kept them motivated in the past. Before you start dodging gym dates, find a new challenge: Sign up for a 5K,
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or plan an active vacation like hiking or kayaking. Keeping your workouts interesting and goal oriented will make it more fun and also give you something to work toward.
Breathe better: To improve your performance, focus on your breathing. Next time you are jogging on the treadmill or out on the path try inhaling to a count of three and exhaling to a count of three. Steady your breathing with your pace and you will feel more energized during your workout.
Something new Many advanced exercisers can get stuck in a workout rut. Some exercisers will stick to the same workouts because they are familiar with it. Try new exercises that are completely different from what you normally do. Those are the moves that help build a stronger, more balanced body and prevent overuse injuries. By changing up your routine you are challenging your body in a different way and forcing your body to adjust. This will help create a more balanced workout.
Work out with someone slower Once a week, exercise with a buddy who moves at a more
leisurely pace. You’ll give your body a chance to regenerate, and maybe you’ll even have a bit more fun. It’s good to be competitive but every once in a while it’s nice to give your body a break and change up the normal routine.
DON’T Get stuck on the treadmill New exercisers often do the same routine for the same duration and at the same intensity every time they work out. First of all, this is a really good way to make exercise become a task instead of a release. This bad habit gets reinforced because, as your workouts get easier, you’re fooled into thinking you’ve become more fit. In reality, your muscles have just grown accustomed to the challenge. Be sure to mix up your routine by varying your time and intensity and by cross-training on the bike or elliptical machine, or by going for a jog outside.
Be a slouch Whether you’re leafing through the latest gossip rag on the elliptical or curling dumbbells on a bench, straighten up. Slumping causes you to check out of your workout both mentally and physically. Focus on sitting or standing up straight,
since most people spend a lot of time sitting at a computer give your shoulders a break and pay attention to posture. Slouching also keeps you from breathing deeply, which is necessary for delivering the oxygen your muscles need to work at full capacity.
Be unbalanced Most regular exercisers are diligent about including cardio, strength, and flexibility in their routines, but they forget about balance. This critical skill allows you to move fluidly and avoid injuries. At the end of your workout, stand on one leg and lift the other out in front of you. Try to hold this for 20 to 30 seconds, then, repeat with the other leg. If this maneuver seems too easy for you try adding a BOSU ball to your workout. Stand on the BOSU while doing bicep curls or shoulder presses. Focus on the numbers: Tracking your running time or calorie count provides instant feedback on your workout. Try not to get too hung up on the numbers. When you have a goal whether it be time, distance or calories it feels great to reach it. If it becomes an obsession it takes the joy out of the workout. Be sure not to push yourself to your limits all the time. Take a day and run just for fun. June 2021 | 39
FROM THE TRAINER RYAN UNVERZAGT
BUILD UP THOSE TRICEPS
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une marks the official start of summer. You’ve had five months to whip yourself into shape for swimsuit season. This month’s exercise is popular among bodybuilders and is a great way to add definition to your arms before you hit the beach. The overhead dumbbell triceps extension is a lift in which only a single dumbbell is used, but both arms are doing the work. Therefore, it’s appropriate to use a heavier weight. Figure 1 is both the start and finish position. Hold the dumbbell with arms straight above and slightly behind the head. Make a triangle with your hands flat so that the dumbbell rests on the inner palms between each index finger and thumb. Lower the weight under control until the elbows reach ninety degrees or the dumbbell disappears behind your head (figure 2). Without pausing at the bottom, extend the elbows to push the weight up toward the ceiling. It’s important that you don’t let your elbows flare 40 | June 2021
out to the side to help isolate the triceps. This exercise can be performed seated or standing. Include the overhead DB triceps extension in a “push” routine for the upper body such as the bench, dips, or shoulder press. The triceps brachii muscle can fatigue and “give out” more often than any other muscle, so it’s a good idea to have a spotter for any exercise in which the weight is lifted over the head and face. Try at least two sets of twelve to fifteen reps with a minute rest in between. Unverzagt holds Bachelor of Science degree in Wellness Management from Black Hills State University. He is a certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist through the National Strength & Conditioning Association and a Registered Diagnostic Cardiac Sonographer through the American Registry for Diagnostic Medical Sonography.
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GENEVIEVE LEFRANC
FIRST BLUSH
For the Men in Your Life…
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ome bite their nails when they get too long; others wash their hair with bar soap; and a few only shave for work or that all-important visit with your parents. Men, whether they like to admit it or not, follow a “beauty” regimen just like women, but too often are seriously lost. Everyone wants to look their best, but the men in our lives sometimes have trouble admitting they enjoy looking good, and need the right stuff to do so. This is where you step in. Maybe he would never indulge in quality toiletries and is more of the hiking and grilling type. Maybe your man already has an established routine with high-end products. Either way, it’s always nice to give that special guy in your life something he’ll love, but wouldn’t necessarily buy for himself. There’s something in it for us, too: a few great grooming gifts could tame his unruly brows or soften his scratchy stubble, and the gift of a few carefully chosen products is a lot subtler than a gym membership. Perfect for Father’s Day, a college grad, or as a thoughtful birthday gift, these grooming gift ideas are the perfect way to say, “I love you … but not your Haircuts $15 Shampoo, Cut & Blow Dry $18 (extra charge for long hair) Scissors Cut $17+up Color $43+up Permanent $45+up (including haircut & conditioner)
post-workout musk.” Unlike fishing gear, golf clubs, or another kooky tie, hair and skin products are the breath of fresh air he’s been waiting for (but maybe didn’t know it). They won’t end up in a cobwebbed corner of the garage, and he’ll actually enjoy a little selfindulgent grooming, not to mention all the compliments he’ll receive! The key to getting something he’ll actually use is to consider what kind of guy he is. If he travels a lot, he probably relies on a collection of those sad little hotel shampoos. Consider, instead, products with travelsize versions. If you think he might be self-conscious about— gasp!—his appearance, choose products that look and smell a bit more masculine. If he’s outdoorsy, choose an option with SPF. If he’s entering his distinguished older man phase, opt for anti-aging or anti-wrinkle formulas. Whatever you choose, you can sleep soundly
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knowing his skin is better cared for, and you won’t have to face the awkward moment of walking in on him in the bathroom, hunched over the sink, covertly using your concealer. We all know by now that men have particular needs, but in the grooming department, there is none more specific than shaving. Even if you can’t get him to use tools more refined than Barbasol and a disposable razor, help him get a smoother shave with these simple tips: • Make sure he washes his face before shaving to remove oil and dirt. This ensures a closer, smoother shave. Better yet, get him to use some kind of scrub. Many men don’t use exfoliators, so he’ll likely notice the difference immediately. • Shave with hot water on moist (not wet) skin. This
helps to soften his whiskers. Make sure he knows to change razor blades frequently to reduce irritation. • If he has ultra-sensitive skin, suggest shaving in the shower. The steam and moisture will soften his beard and lubricate skin to reduce irritation. Buy him a fogless mirror to hang around the showerhead so he can actually see what he’s doing and avoid nicks. • Shaving creams today are efficient—he won’t need much to work up a rich lather. He doesn’t need a full-on Santa Claus beard of cream, just a thin layer. Rachel seriously needed to intervene with that overgelled head of hair Ross rocked for years. If your guy is a victim of hair product overdose, help him out! Some guys are no-nonsense when it comes to their hair, either
routinely buzzing it all off or arguing that bed head looks “rock star cool.” Show him the light! Don’t fuss with expensive shampoos; men’s hair is typically on the short side, so why spend on something that isn’t particularly beneficial and washes right down the drain? Even a $7 barber’s cut looks great with a dab of high-end product. He’ll look more polished and be able to switch up his look in minutes. Unfortunately, men don’t embrace fragrance quite the same way women do. The sad reality is that men often look no further than locker room aerosols. Since fragrance is so subjective, finding the right one will take a little time investment from both you and your man. But fear not—there are options to suit every taste. My longtime favorite is Versace Man Eau Fraiche, a subtle mix of fruits, green leaves, musk, and sycamore wood. Finally, get him something classier than a ziploc bag to house his new grooming arsenal. Dopp kits have a certain sophistication you just can’t get from a knotted plastic grocery bag or a scummy college shower caddy. Splurge and buy him a refined, sumptuous leather case—it makes for a thoughtful, personal gift. Whether you two have shared a bathroom for years, or he dumps his stuff on your bathroom countertop when he spends the night, a dopp kit will keep his products and tools organized. If you’re feeling generous, pack it with some great grooming goodies, too. June 2021 | 41
GO FISH
STEVE CHACONAS
Oh no, not another tie!
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ere is my annual “Dude, don’t get Dad another tie column”! He might wear it…only when you’re in town or when you mention it. He really dreads having to tie one on for you! It’s Father’s Day, put a bit of thought into the gift for the guy who was always thinking of you! Let dad know he’s legendary. Don’t let dad get caught short in shorts. Hiking or wading a stream, Filson’s Dry Falls Shorts have the best of both material worlds to keep dad in motion, cotton for comfort with 2% spandex for durability and a bit of stretch. He might not know he has them on, which might avoid an embarrassing family picnic. A drawcord and elastic waistband keep Dry Falls Shorts comfortably in place. Deep front pockets hold phone, wallet, and keys securely. Back pocket flaps secure with Velcro®. These shorts are up to any tall task or trip. Comfortable and tough. Filson.com Toss dad’s rubber rainsuit. Sitka’s 3-layer GORE-TEX Dew Point Jacket provides lightweight, waterproof, and breathable Gore-Tex foul weather protection and comfort. Lightweight and tough, Dew Point is cut to allow layering for nearly allseason rain protection. For high activity, armpits unzip for added ventilation. Zippered side pockets are accessible while wearing a backpack. Sitka’s adjustable hood keeps elements out. Cuffs seal and jacket bottom cinches, 42 | June 2021
preventing rain from creeping into dad’s arms and waist. Big in features, Dew Point is packable, squeezing into nearly any space. sitkagear.com Pull the wool over dad’s eyes with a gift he’ll never take off. Nothing feels better or more natural than merino wool. In 2002 Minus33’s outdoors passion began with a snowmobile brand, expanding to hiking, skiing, and hunting. Minus33 products naturally provide warmth, breathability, and comfort. Chocorua Crew will give dad non-itchy years of enjoyment as a base or mid layer. Chocorua will keep him cool in summer and warm in winter even when damp, wicking away moisture and repelling odors. UV-protected Chocorua doesn’t wrinkle. Tagless label eliminates tag itch. Flat lock seams prevent chafing. More than just merino, this shirt will be easy to find, dad will be wearing it. minus33. com Don’t let dad get caught shortless. Making clothing gear for law enforcement professionals, 5.11 Tactical Decoy Pants are more than good-looking and comfortable. Decoy is a quick-change artist, going short with unzipped legs. Eight pockets store any of dad’s stuff in zippered cargo, yoke utility, and angled hand pockets. Back body patch pockets with flap closures too! Decoy also protects dad’s skin with UPF 50+. Water resistant, Decoy is moisture wicking, keeping dad comfortable for various activities. Polyester and elastane weave add comfort
stretch. Decoy is durable with a running gusset on the short and articulated knees. 511tactical.com When Grundens says “We are Fishing” they mean it. High-quality fishing Grundens gear protects anglers under any condition. They’ve now perfected the fishing shirt. Solstrale sun shirt is loaded with comfort features and protection from the elements. Keep sun off dad’s back, arms, and face with a UPF 50 scuba style hoody. Dad will look clean, with stain away technology, and won’t smell bad with built in bacteria inhibitors. Moisture wicking and vented mesh along the arms and sides breathe while raglan sleeves and drop hem provide an active fit. Solstrale will become his favorite fishing shirt. grundens.com When dad uses pocketknives for more than opening Amazon packages, let him unfold
Gerber’s Highbrow. A pivot lock keeps Highbrow safe until needed. Once unlocked, the blade is quickly opened and locked. A sliding blade lock makes closing this Gerber a breeze. Pocket clip can be arranged for left or right hand carry. A lanyard hole provides carrying options. Gerber’s legendary blade seals the deal. Backed by 75 years of being carried by soldiers, hunters, and tradesmen, show dad your gift is as sharp as him. gerbergear.com Teva takes dad a step back to his sandal roots. Updated for comfort and colorful style, the iconic Hurricane XLT2 Vista Sunset has soft heelstrap padding and modern sole with better traction. EVA-foam midsole provides lightweight cushioning, and a nylon shank stabilizes and supports dad’s arches on uneven terrain. Water-ready, durable, and quick drying
polyester/nylon/recycled PET webbing is durable and enables a perfect fit with hook and loop Universal Strapping System. Custom fit adjustments are quick and easy on and off with injection-molded strap ends. Perfect for water activities: fishing, canoeing, amphibious hiking. teva.com Another great gift idea is a gift certificate for a bass fishing trip on the Potomac River. No phones, emails, texts or meetings, dad can bring his buddy or favorite offspring. But remember, if you give it, dad will use it, wear it, or eat it… make a good choice so he won’t think of you when he’s in line returning it! Author Capt. Steve Chaconas is Potomac bass fishing guide. Potomac River reports: nationalbass.com. Book trips/ purchase gift certificates: info@ NationalBass.com.
Potomac River Bassing in June It’s topwater time. Braid and CoPoly lines are best. Never fluorocarbon. It sinks! Gamma Torque 60-pound braid works well with walking baits and frogs on casting gear. A slightly softer rod works well with buzzbaits and toads. For spinning gear, drop to 20-pound test. Instead of traditional skirts, thread buzz toads on buzzbaits. This helps baits stay on the surface and allows them to be slowly crawled over grass and other cover. Use stinger hooks! For poppers, make long casts. At the beginning of the retrieve, pop baits with the rod tip up to prevent poppers from diving. As it gets closer, lower the rod, or baits will jump out of the water. Another great post spawn bait is the jerkbait with a tail prop. Snap it down and let it slowly rise. The snap causes an erratic action, and the prop not only creates a disturbance on the dive, but also slows the rise of the bait. Pitch tubes to wood, docks, and grass cover. Use 14-pound test Gamma Edge fluorocarbon line. Peg 3/16-ounce bullet weights. Watch for bites on the fall.
Old Town Crier
OPEN SPACE
LORI WELCH BROWN
Dear Dad, This is gonna be a tough one—our first Father’s Day without you. That was hard to even type without crying. I hate this so much. I hate not talking to you every day. I hate not being able to call you or hold your hand. I hate not hearing you laugh. Life is not the same without you. I knew it wouldn’t be. I was always afraid of the day you wouldn’t be here, and now here we are. Guess I’ve always been a “Daddy’s Girl”. You were my role model for all the men who would come into my life. From early on, you taught me how a man should treat a woman. “Don’t ever let a man raise his hand or his voice to you,” was my first lesson on dating. You were so protective of me, and rightfully so. I was your one and only baby girl. You fiercely watched over all four of us in your role as our guardian and protector. You wore so many hats— educator, driver, breadwinner, coach, referee, disciplinarian, negotiator and mediator. Many of life’s important lessons were handed down from you. You taught us how to swim, drive a car, change a tire, file income taxes, bait a hook, show respect, be kind and generous. “Even when you have a little, you still have something to give,” were words you lived by. You were my hero. The go-to man for oil changes, weird noises, leaky faucets, sibling argument disputes, overdrawn checking accounts, etc. If dad couldn’t fix it, it couldn’t be fixed. Oh—and you made the best pancakes on the planet. Every Sunday going as far back as I can remember, I woke up to the smell of pancakes and bacon Old Town Crier
counsel, support, and unconditional love. I’m not sure I would have made it out of my teens without your discipline and rules keeping me from smashing into the guardrails of my youth. I guess I r. er fathe h d would have figured n a hor The aut out how to buy my first car and a house on my own, but it would have been a lot harder. I’m not sure how I got so lucky, Dad. I sure do hope that all the kids who don’t have a dad like you have someone in their life who can give them what you gave me—unconditional love, understanding, and support. I hope they have someone who is making rules and enforcing them to keep them safe and out of trouble. I hope they have someone like I did whom they can look up to and want to make proud. I hope they have a person in their life whom they love, respect, wagon wouldn’t start. The trust, and don’t want to neighborhood kids were all disappoint. Disappointing you just a little scared of you, but was the worst punishment of worshipped the ground you all, and I did my best to avoid walked on. You taught many that at all costs. of them how to hold a bat, Dad, I miss you so much call a foul ball, and whistle it hurts. I guess that’s the through their fingers. price of love—the grief is a You expected a lot from us heavy burden to carry, but it is kids, but I understand now evidence of how much you are that you were grooming us to loved and missed. be solid, productive members With love, of society. We followed your Your Favorite (and only) footsteps in many ways and Daughter, Lori still lean into the lessons of our childhood. We have a **** strong work ethic, and do To all the dads (and moms what’s right even when no one pulling double duty), is looking. Happy Father’s Day! I wish everyone could know what it’s like to have a dad like you, but I know that’s not If you would like to read more possible. It breaks my heart of Lori's work, you can follow because I’m not sure where I’d her on Medium at Lori Welch be today without your advice, Brown.
Happy Father’s Day, Dad! on the griddle. We all knew that when you yelled out, “Breakfast is ready, come and get it!,” we better be quick to claim our seat at the table. No doubt you were strict. Phil, Chuck, Marty and I all knew that as long as we were living under your roof, we played by your rules. And, John Welch’s rule book was thick, subject to change, and never to be questioned. If you weren’t in a room, the light had better be off. The refrigerator door was never to be left open, and there was absolutely no standing in front of it/lingering while you were pondering your options. No opening windows or doors when the A/C was on. “We aren’t cooling off the entire neighborhood!” No TVs in bedrooms when there was a
perfectly fine one in the living room. No running in the house. No rough housing. No hats at the table and shirts required. No members of the opposite sex in bedrooms. No coming in past curfew. “If I said 11:00 pm, I meant 11:00 pm. If 11:05 was okay, I would have said 11:05.” If you arrive on time, you’re late. You should always arrive 15 minutes early. And that was just Chapter One. We grew up knowing you were beloved, respected, and revered. Everyone knew you to be hardworking and dependable. You could be counted on to answer late night calls when the Miller’s heater stopped working or to help Ms. Powell figure out why her station
June 2021 | 43
NATIONAL HARBOR
LANI GERING
The View from the Pose Rooftop Lounge
W
hen I got the word from our friends at the Gaylord that the National Harbor location was finally opening back up after the year-long shut down due to the pandemic, I literally did a happy dance! The Harbor hasn’t been the same with the Resort being completely shut down. It is a “go to” place for locals as well as the many conventioneers that cross through their doors every year. Even though the facility was shut down, there was a bevy of activity inside while they renovated the rooms and added new attractions – to the tune of around 6 Million dollars as a matter of fact. Thanks to our friends in charge of the PR for the resort, the following info gives you a sneak peek into what it to come: “Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center is once again ready to welcome guests to the Potomac River waterfront at National Harbor. Following $64 million in guest room renovations, the resort is prepared to open its doors and welcome visitors with totally re-designed guestrooms, Marriott 44 | June 2021
International’s “Commitment to Clean” protocols, familyfun activities, river view yoga, a pop-up rooftop lounge and more. Guest reservations are now being accepted for overnight stays beginning July 1st. All of Gaylord National Resort’s 1,996 guest rooms and suites have been fully renovated, offering a luxurious space for rest and relaxation. With décor inspired by the peaceful hues of blue found in the numerous bodies of water throughout the region, Gaylord National is perfectly positioned for a quick escape or one-of-akind vacation. Summer celebrations start at the top with Replay at Pose Rooftop Lounge, an 80’s themed pop-up bar offering picture-perfect, over-the-top milkshakes like the boozy PB&J, and a snazzy collection of cocktails including a raspberry rose’ float. The wraparound rooftop bar will feature “Insta-worthy” environments, neon lights, retro arcade games and the best of 80’s music. A family-fun venue perfect for sweet treats and amazing views during the day, and a 21 and over trip back
in time at night. Hotel guests can begin their day with waterfront Sunrise Yoga, cool off in the hotel’s Junior-Olympic sized swimming pool and outdoor splash zone, or sip on a refreshing menu of summer cocktails. Kids of all ages will roar with delight traveling throughout the 19-story garden atrium in search of adventure on the new Wildlife Rescue – an augmented reality experience presented by bubly™. At the end of the day, guests will want to save time to enjoy the colorful Summer Lights Laser Show. From July 1 – August 18, guests will also delight in the new #PotomacLights illuminated river walk. Visible from Pose Rooftop Lounge, Gaylord National’s garden atrium, and the Riverfront Plaza, the new walking tour will feature illuminated walk-through displays and twinkling lights along the Potomac River. The self-guided tour includes 11 locations where guests will discover shining exhibits including an illuminated puzzle, giant glow stones, a frame tunnel and lighting art.
“We are thrilled to once again welcome guests to our waterfront resort,” said Dan McKeon, Area General Manager. “The luxurious new guestrooms create a personal oasis from which guests can enjoy everything our resort, and National Harbor, have to offer. From our 24-meter lap pool and kids splash zone to our new augmented reality adventure and 19-story laser light show, guests never need to leave the property. But if they do, they will discover Gaylord National Resort is in the heart of National Harbor offering countless options for fun on water, on land, and in the air.” Dining options abound at National Harbor, starting with Gaylord’s own Old Hickory Steakhouse. The revered restaurant, known for decadent premium beef, will be open Thursday through Sunday serving summer seasonal dishes and handcrafted cocktails. The resort’s Relâche Spa will also welcome hotel guests on Saturday and Sunday with seasonal services. To allow guests to make “more” of their summer getaway, Gaylord is offering
a new “Summer of More” package. Starting at $249, the package includes deluxe overnight accommodations for up to four guests per room, self-parking, early check-in and late-checkout – allowing guests more time to enjoy everything the resort and destination have to offer. As the safety of its guests and STARS (employees) is of paramount importance, the resort’s summer events have been developed in accordance with Marriott’s “Commitment to Clean” program and enhanced protocols. To learn more about Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center and book an overnight stay, room package, meeting or event, please visit gaylordnational.com.” `I am looking forward to walking through that big revolving door on July 1st and heading to the atrium to see what’s new! In the meantime, I am just going to enjoy the Salute to Sunset concerts on Saturday evenings and the Movies on the Potomac throughout the month of June. Yes….these popular events are back on track! Old Town Crier
Visit Us on the Blue Ridge Whiskey & Wine Loop! The days are longer, the sun is warmer, and the road beckons. We invite you to visit both of our unique distillery locations for whisky flights and craft cocktails, and of course, bottles of your favorites to bring home. We’ve been waiting for you.
A Perfect Gift for Fathers Day!
Experience the flavor journey that never ends.
9 River Lane 901 Capitol Landing Road Sperryville, Virginia Williamsburg, Virginia 540.987.8554 757.903.2076 www.copperfoxdistillery.com
LIVE BETTER
WITH CRAFTMARK HOMES
3 - 4 LEVEL 24' GRAND TOWNS FROM THE UPPER $800s
NEW TOWNHOMES IN CHANTILLY FROM THE UPPER $600S
HURRY IN!
SELLING NOW BY APPOINTMENT Craftmark’s newest community of modern, 4-level, 2-car garage townhomes located in the heart of the IT hub. Take a breath of fresh air, embrace endless comfort, and experience a true retreat in Fairfax County. These award-winning open-plan townhomes include sophisticated features and custom options to create your ideal home. Enjoy the neighborhood pond, idyllic green space, and outdoor amenities for fitness and fun! Walkable to retail & dining!
We have limited summer move-ins available in this amenityrich community. Select your fully appointed dream home before it’s gone and revel in the spacious Bellevue floor plan, full of highend finishes and included features that will astonish you. AWARD-WINNING FLOOR PLAN: • Elevator-Ready Layouts • 9' Ceilings on 3 Levels • 10' Ceiling on Main Level • Gourmet Kitchen with Bosch® Appliances • Gas Fireplace • 5" Engineered Hardwood Flooring • Luxury Owner’s Suite with Huge Walk-In Closet • Spacious Loft Level • Professional Landscaping Package
JOIN OUR VIP LIST! CraftmarkHomes.com/RetreatAtWestfields
COMING SOON TO FAIRFAX COUNTY
NEW SINGLE FAMILY HOMES IN OAKTON
ELEVATED LIFESTYLE: • Walkable Dining & Retail Options at Downtown Crown & RIO • Retreat Clubhouse • Outdoor Swimming Pool & Fireplace • Community Metro Shuttle • Idyllic Outdoor Parks Decorated Model: 104 Bleeker Place, Gaithersburg, MD 20878 GPS Coordinates: 39.11091442979209, -77.19950242297479
CraftmarkHomes.com/Crown Take a Virtual Tour! STAY TUNED! DETAILS RELEASING SOON! SCHEDULE YOUR PERSONAL APPOINTMENT! Sales Manager | Lori Windsor | (703) 507-6882 (Call or Text!) | lwindsor@craftmarkhomes.com Sales Manager | Eric Yakuchev | (703) 989-6662 (Call or Text!) | eyakuchev@craftmarkhomes.com
Brokers Warmly Welcomed. Must register and comply with policy terms.
